Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has raised more than $100 million, according to a campaign contributions report, and is the first candidate to reach the nine-figure mark in the 2022 election cycle.
DeSantis has extended his lead over all of the likely opponents for the general election: Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D), and Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo (D-Miami).
Crist raked in over $1 million in the month of March and raises his total to $8.2 million, but with expenses is at around $5.3 million cash on hand. Fried raised $440,000 in the same month and touted on social media how she raised over $22,000 in a single day.
We DID IT!
Thank you!!! 💜💜 pic.twitter.com/zZLB7qpuRW
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 1, 2022
Taddeo, the candidate who most recently joined the race, raised approximately $110,000 since the end of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session.
“Our campaign is moved forward by contributions from teachers, single parents, union workers, and more everyday Floridians who believe in a better Florida and are ready to make history,” Taddeo said in a statement. “I will continue to work on the campaign trail, and everywhere until we share a state that works for all Floridians.”
Despite the momentum Democrats are feeling, they are still trailing DeSantis by tens of millions even if they pooled their money together. A Republican operative and strategist said that DeSantis has “catapulted” himself to the top of GOP candidate lists.
“He’s been asking for big licks – $5 million and $10 million per fundraiser – and he’s getting them and that’s a warning sign,” said Scott Reed, strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “DeSantis is the talk of every Republican cocktail party and every organizational meeting. His support spans the money class and the movement conservatives. And that’s a strong combination early in the game.”
DeSantis has gained national recognition for his effort to combat Critical Race Theory (CRT), “woke” indoctrination in public schools, mask mandates in public schools, and COVID shots for children.
Endearing himself to Republican voters across the country, DeSantis has skyrocketed to be a favorite for the 2024 presidential race and Newsweek called him Trump’s “No. 1 GOP Rival.” Florida’s governor has repeatedly shot down 2024 rumors.
Among poll numbers in Florida, DeSantis leads each of the likely Democrat candidates by double digits and Floridians are supportive of his policies he’s prioritizing.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Ron DeSantis” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
