“We have a very good relationship,” Sununu said in a hall at the State House. He said he meets “everyone” as the 2024 hopefuls arrive in his state. When asked if he and DeSantis discussed any areas of disagreement, such as Disney, Sununu said they covered a range of topics. His spokesman, Ben Whistead, said they discussed strategies for doing well in the New Hampshire primary, among other topics.
Friday was DeSantis’ second visit to the Granite State this year. Support here could be crucial in the governor’s efforts to overtake Trump, the clear front-runner in national polling. DeSantis is expected to officially launch his campaign next week — right after his visits to New Hampshire and Iowa, another early enrolling state on which DeSantis’ team is focused. he has already secured Long list of endorsements from MPs in both the places.
“What I’m worried about is being able to fill my legislature with Republicans — and if I don’t have strong winnable candidates at the top of the ticket that we can all pull together, we’re in for a tough time.” Going on is New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, who said DeSantis called him last week after endorsing him.
He was echoing a broader argument about getting Trump elected that DeSantis and allies have made increasingly clear. He argues that the governor general of Florida can win Election In the swing states where Trump lost in 2020.
“At this point you have basically three people who are credible in this whole thing,” DeSantis told donors to a supportive super PAC on a call this week. according to the New York Times, “Biden, Trump and me. And I think of those three, two have a chance to be elected president – Biden and me, based on all the data from the swing states. Representatives for DeSantis did not respond to questions about comments on the call. At recent dinners with donors, DeSantis has presented himself as more likely to win swing states, according to attendees.
Sununu has also argued that Trump cannot win the general election – more explicitly and publicly. “Donald Trump is projecting himself as a four-time loser in 2024,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last month.
DeSantis, who is looking for a rebound He is expected to start collecting funds for his presidential campaign next week after a meeting of donors in Miami with some interruptions.
But the governor shied away from the 2024 presidential race during his public remarks about 30 New Hampshire lawmakers at a roundtable Friday morning. Seated next to Osborne, DeSantis received cheers for his criticisms of “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs — which he has defended at state colleges and universities – and for supporting a Florida sales tax exemption for children’s items.
He dabbled in petty politics, pausing to kiss an MLA’s child before taking his seat. Later, at the Red Arrow Diner — a tight, classic campaign stop in Manchester — DeSantis talked about his policies for receptive voters, lingering briefly with each customer as he made his way to the counter. . Sometimes criticized as stern, the governor was all smiles as he fielded questions from the children and mentioned his family.
“Four, Well, it’s a great age,” she said to one child.
“It looks good – my kids will be eating those fries, I know it,” DeSantis later said.
New Hampshire Republicans saw similarities between their agenda and the bills passed by DeSantis in Florida, such as shared resistance. corona virus Sanctions.
on another issue, abortionDeSantis has gone further than Republican leaders in New Hampshire, He recently signed legislation banning the procedure in Florida after six weeks of pregnancy, while New Hampshire — where Republicans control the state government — still allows abortions up to 24 weeks after conception.Roe v. Wade, But a Red Arrows insider praised DeSantis for his handling of the issue.
“Thanks for protecting the kids,” said the man at the counter, shaking DeSantis’ hand.
“Oh yeah, yeah, yeah — no, you can count on me,” DeSantis said.
Steve Vargas said he looked forward to meeting DeSantis at Red Arrow, even though he comes from “more of a Trump family”. He said that if he had to vote in the primaries today, he would choose Trump. But he shares the concerns of others about the former president’s ability to win re-election.
Ryan Mulholland, 50, said he would stay home if Trump faced President Biden in the general election.
“He should just step aside because what he’s going to do is…. I think he’ll bring more controversy,” Mulholland said.
