Ron DeSantis on the defensive in his home state, with eight members of Florida's congressional delegation now saying they back the former president, the latest being U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. DeSantis picked up an endorsement from Laurel Lee, who currently is the only member of Florida's congressional delegation to back him. The string of recent Florida endorsements for Trump comes after NBC News reported that DeSantis' political operation has been calling Republicans in Florida's congressional delegation - including Steube and Buchanan - to try to keep them from backing the former president. DeSantis' push to halt Trump's momentum in Florida started after Donalds' endorsement, which is particularly notable because he has been considered a DeSantis ally. Trump's style of personally connecting with lawmakers to discuss their endorsements contrasts with DeSantis, who had aides reach out to members of Florida's congressional delegation, according to NBC.

Source: The Herald April 19, 2023 19:39 UTC