Los Angeles Times

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes California pilgrimage to woo influential Republicans

In this photo from Feb. 20, 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves as he speaks to police officers about protecting law and order at Prive catering hall in the Staten Island borough of New York City. DeSantis, a Republican, is expected by many to announce his candidacy for president in the coming weeks or months.

LOS ANGELES — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, viewed as the greatest GOP threat to former President Trump's 2024 White House campaign, is visiting Southern California this weekend to promote his new book and curry favor as he raises money for Republicans in conservative strong-holds.

DeSantis, who frequently tangles with California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, has not officially announced a presidential bid. However, his Sunday appearances in front of nearly 2,000 well-heeled donors and influential Republicans in Simi Valley and Anaheim is yet another signal that he's considering a bid for the GOP nomination.

California is a well-worn stop for presidential contenders because the state is a top source of campaign cash for politicians in both parties. DeSantis' visit also comes days after a poll shows he has as their choice to be their party's presidential nominee next

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times8 min readAmerican Government
Inside The Far-right Plan To Use Civil Rights Law To Disrupt The 2024 Election
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — At a diner just off the freeway north of Sacramento, a mostly white crowd listened intently as it learned how to “save America” by leaning on the same laws that enshrined the rights of Black voters 60 years ago. Over mugs of coff
Los Angeles Times7 min read
California Climbers Train For Mount Everest From The Comfort Of Their Own Beds
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Graham Cooper sleeps with his head in a bag. Not just any bag. This one has a hose attached to a motor that slowly lowers the oxygen level to mimic, as faithfully as possible, the agonies of fitful sleep at extreme altitude: headac
Los Angeles Times3 min read
Commentary: I Once Lived In My Car And Can’t Fathom Criminalizing Homelessness
I’ve been homeless. Twice. I faced a dilemma in those situations that more than 650,000 Americans experience on any given day: “Where am I going to sleep tonight?” The legal battles over criminalizing homelessness seem completely disconnected from th

Related Books & Audiobooks