Gov. Ron DeSantis could be stirring the political pot again with his endorsement of Utah Senator Mike Lee’s reelection campaign.
Sen. Lee, who is running against a so-called “independent” candidate Evan McMullin, recently tried to distance himself from former President Donald Trump during a campaign debate.
President Trump recently took a jab at Gov. DeSantis, arguably the most powerful and popular governor in America, for endorsing an anti-Trump candidate in Colorado, and as NBC’s Marc Caputo pointed out, DeSantis cutting a Club for Growth ad for Sen. Lee could be another veiled jab at Trump.
The Club for Growth has had a falling out with President Trump, so DeSantis agreeing to support their efforts in Utah, could deepen the perceived divide between Trump and DeSantis, who are both seen as potential 2024 presidential candidates.
The Club may have found it’s new 2024 presidential candidate if DeSantis decides to challenge Trump.
“Mike always stands firm against the extreme Left,” said DeSantis in the ad. “His opponent endorsed Biden for President, he’s no independent. He’s a donkey in sheep’s clothing.”
DeSantis appears to have likened his use of the term “donkey” to describe Democrats.
During his first and only gubernatorial debate with former Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, DeSantis referred to Crist as a “worn-out donkey.”
"I know Charlie wants to talk about 2024 and Joe Biden, but let me be clear: The only worn-out old donkey I want to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist," stated DeSantis.
Lee, who is arguably one of the brightest legal scholars in the U.S. Senate and fluent in Spanish, is reported to have said that he has voted with Trump less times than several of his Senate Republican colleagues.
According to the Fivethirtyeight website, Lee has in the past voted in support of the Trump America First agenda 73.2% of the time.
Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, both rumored potential 2024 presidential candidates, have voted with Trump 88.% and 84.1% of the time, respectfully.
