Governor Ron DeSantis received his first gubernatorial endorsement on Saturday. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt endorsed his fellow Republican governor during a campaign event in Tulsa.
“I am officially, 100 percent, endorsing Ron DeSantis for president, and we’re going to win it in Oklahoma,” Stitt said Saturday ahead of DeSantis’ speech in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
DeSantis is “the right guy to beat Biden,” Stitt said, lauding the Florida governor’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thank you @GovStitt for your endorsement of @RonDeSantis!
Lots of excitement and support in the Sooner state — We were thrilled to join you Oklahoma, thank you! pic.twitter.com/uZ4CQBC6UE
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) June 11, 2023
This is an interesting endorsement, not just because it is the first gubernatorial endorsement for DeSantis but because Stitt was endorsed in his recent re-election by Trump. He ran on that endorsement. Stitt won re-election 55.5%-41.8% against his opponent, Joy Hofmeister, who served as the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. She switched from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party in 2021 to run against Stitt.
Trump also endorsed Stitt in 2018. Stitt voted for Trump in 2016 and in 2020.
DeSantis is earning endorsements from state legislators in various states. He did so in Oklahoma before his events on Saturday. He received endorsements from 20 Oklahoma state lawmakers and former Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine, a NASA administrator during Trump’s administration.
“Governor DeSantis is a strong conservative and principled leader, and I am proud to endorse him for president,” Stitt told Fox News in a statement.
He praised DeSantis’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that he “did not surrender states’ rights and individual liberties over to groupthink.”
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“In this election cycle, Oklahomans will remember that DeSantis was one of the few who never backed down in the face of adversity because DeSantis operated with dogged conviction and shared our values for a limited government and free country,” Stitt said.
Stitt and DeSantis have governed as conservative Republicans in their states. Stitt voiced appreciation of the way DeSantis governed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida and his support of pro-life legislation. Stitt was the first governor to ban abortions after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban in Florida in April. Stitt signed legislation banning males from participating in women’s sports. He also banned sex reassignment procedures for minors in Oklahoma. Florida has similar laws under DeSantis.
“To deliver these same results all across America and unwind the disastrous liberal mandates of the Biden administration is going to demand a candidate who can win and keep winning as a two-term president. I am confident that leader is Ron DeSantis,” he said.
In Florida and Oklahoma, we stand up for freedom — freedom to raise your family without radical ideology being crammed down your throat; freedom to worship and live your faith as you see fit; freedom to run your business and control your finances without corporate activists… pic.twitter.com/uvXOzpJYsD
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 10, 2023
INCREDIBLE turnout in Oklahoma tonight! 🔥
Thank you to all the supporters who came out to see Governor @RonDeSantis and First Lady @CaseyDeSantis! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ylbgQtyMYr
— Team DeSantis (@TeamDeSantis) June 10, 2023
DeSantis is trying to close the gap in the polls with Trump. Trump may get a bump in support after the federal charges indictments are factored in with polls, or voters may be tired of it all and ready to turn the page. DeSantis is a solid alternative and this is his time to fill the vacuum.
Ron DeSantis is speaking to the overflow crowd outside the Tulsa venue before heading inside for the event
— Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) June 10, 2023
