Rep. Ron DeSantis officially enters race for Florida governor
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Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis officially entered the race for Florida governor on Friday, just days after President Trump endorsed his potential candidacy.
DeSantis, R-Fla., said he would be filing paperwork to begin his campaign, joining a crowded field of gubernatorial hopefuls working to succeed current Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
“As somebody who is a military officer, Iraq veteran, a proven conservative, and then with the support of the president, I’m in a position to exercise the leadership that can build on the great work that Governor Rick Scott has done,” DeSantis said on “Fox & Friends” Friday. He said he would build on Scott’s work to “advance economic opportunity, reform education and drain the swamp in Tallahassee.”
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Last month, Trump tweeted that DeSantis is a “brilliant young leader.”
“Congressman Ron DeSantis is a brilliant young leader, Yale and then Harvard Law, who would make a GREAT Governor of Florida. He loves our Country and is a true FIGHTER!” Trump tweeted.
DeSantis, who is 39, proposed a time limit last August on funding for special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling and potential collusion with Trump campaign associates during the 2016 election.
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“I’ve been someone who has a proven track record in leading in Congress,” DeSantis explained on “Fox & Friends,” pointing to his involvement in congressional investigations and other issues.
“If you work hard and you do good things, I think people tend to notice that,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis joins former congressman, now-Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, and Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.