The rift between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida appears to be over, maybe.
As the governor’s office continues their independent audit of the state GOP, confidence in the party leadership has dipped, but DeSantis is still doing what he can to support Chairman Joe Gruters and the embattled state party, regardless of whether or not he sees Gruters as a weak leader.
DeSantis is a team player and knows what is at stake in 2020, even if his confidence in Gruters has lessened since moving to Tallahassee.
One party leader who asked that we not disclose his or her name told The Floridian that Gruters may have offered his resignation to DeSantis, but that the governor would not accept it because he wanted to see the party succeed.
We reached out to Gruters for comment but did not receive a response.
Water under the bridge?
The much anticipated RPOF statesman’s dinner in Miami is finally upon us and DeSantis is saying that he is expected a big turnout and an even bigger fundraising number.
After his monthly cabinet meeting on Tuesday in Tallahassee, DeSantis told reporters that Saturday’s event in Miami would “raise way, way more” than in previous years.
“This dinner that we’re doing Saturday, obviously, the president’s going to be there, I think it’s going to raise way, way more than they’ve been able to do on this in the most recent years,” DeSantis said.
“You not only have the president coming, you have both U.S. Senators, I think every congressman or most congressmen from the Republican delegation, all the legislative leaders will be there too,” DeSantis added. “It should be a good event.”
Florida Democrats mocked the RPOF earlier this wear for postponing the annual dinner, pushing the narrative that the state GOP was having trouble raising money.
“Florida Republicans proved so disorganized that they cancelled (sic)their biggest event of the year ... a week before its scheduled date, after failure to secure a speaker or sell sponsorships,” said Florida Democratic Party executive director Juan Peñalosa.
All eyes will be on Trump this weekend, as the president could help mend the strained relationship between DeSantis and Gruters. After all, President Trump needs a unified Republican base in Florida to win the state, win reelection.
