NBC News reported that DeSantis has an 11-point lead over Crist, a former Florida and member of Congress, and his support strengthened following Hurricane Ian. The massive storm was DeSantis’ first test for a direct hurricane hit to Florida as governor, and his response earned bipartisan support.
The White House released a statement on October 16 saying Biden would travel to Fort Lauderdale to participate in a reception for Crist just a week before midterm elections. Biden’s presence could preview a possible face-off with DeSantis in the 2024 race for president.
DeSantis hasn’t announced a run for president. Then-President Donald Trump endorsed DeSantis during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, but he hasn’t voiced any support for DeSantis this year, a hint that, if he chooses to run again in 2024, Trump might be expecting him as a primary opponent.
DeSantis has fared quite well in the polls without Trump’s endorsement. He has raised $218 million to finance his campaign, the most in history for a gubernatorial candidate, which Forbes said could hint at a possible presidential run.
Last week, a YouGov/The Economist poll showed that about 55 percent of Americans either strongly or somewhat approved of how DeSantis responded to Category 4 hurricane that hit Florida’s Gulf coast in late September. DeSantis thanked Biden for providing federal assistance, and Biden returned the compliment, lauding him for his response to the storm.
But DeSantis has been quick to degrade Biden’s actions or lack thereof when it comes to illegal immigration and the president’s COVID-19 response. Biden criticized the Florida governor’s “bad health policy” last year.
Biden originally planned a visit to Florida to accompany Crist for a Democratic National Convention rally in late September, but it was canceled because of Hurricane Ian’s impending arrival. According to Reuters, it would have been the first time a president held a political rally in a state he lost in the election—Biden lost Florida by three points in 2020. One senior Democratic official said that Biden was expected to “throw punches” at DeSantis at the rally.
DeSantis’ campaign isn’t concerned about Biden accompanying Crist at the reception.
“We look forward to Joe Biden sharing with Floridians that Charlie Crist is his biggest supporter in Washington and voted with him 100% of the time to raise taxes, spark historic inflation, halt American energy production, and open our borders to violent criminals and deadly drugs,” campaign spokesperson Lindsey Curnutte told Newsweek in an email.
Crist seems to believe Biden’s presence will boost his ratings and narrow his double-digit deficit.
“In 23 days, we are going to make Ron DeSantis a one-term Governor and a zero-term President,” Crist tweeted October 16 shortly after the White House announced Biden’s travel plans.
Newsweek reached out to Crist’s campaign for comment.
