DeSantis earns backing of GA GOP congressman
McCormick becomes most prominent DeSantis supporter in GA
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may be just days away from launching a bid for the White House, but he has already earned the support of a Georgia Republican Congressman.
U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Suwanee) formally endorsed DeSantis Tuesday, saying in a social media video that the Florida governor is “battle-tested and ready to be our next President.”
“We need a warrior who will do whatever it takes to champion conservative values and safeguard the next generation,” McCormick said in a video. “[DeSantis] is bold, principled and has a vision for the future.”
McCormick went on to say that DeSantis has what it takes to win Georgia and defeat President Joe Biden. Though he made no mention of Donald Trump, McCormick appeared to take a thinly-veiled shot at the former President’s continued focus on the 2020 election: “This election is not about the past, it’s about the future. Who can lift us up, who can inspire our nation, who can lead us forward,” he said. “That’s Gov. Ron DeSantis.”
McCormick’s endorsement makes him the first Georgia Republican to publicly back DeSantis’ inevitable presidential bid. It comes as several Georgia Republicans are warning against rehashing the 2020 election. Gov. Brian Kemp, who has not made an endorsement, has warned of dire consequences if his party continues “looking in the rearview mirror.”
Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan said that his party will “deserve what we get” if the former President is renominated.
But even as DeSantis and other Republicans join the race, the former President remains a frontrunner for the GOP nomination. He holds a commanding 30-point lead over DeSantis nationwide. But DeSantis and his allies are banking on the race tightening once he officially enters the race.