Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is holding a speaking event in South Carolina this week, marking his first public appearance in the state ahead of a potential presidential bid in 2024.
South Carolina is a key state in the presidential primary, being the third state to hold a primary or caucus contest, behind only the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire Primary. It also contains a more diverse population than the states before it.
The event will take place in Spartanburg, where Senator Josh Kimbrell will receive DeSantis on April 19.
DeSantis’ first public visit to South Carolina coincides with a tour to share his “Florida Blueprint” in other key states in recent weeks, including Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defeated Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Charlie Crist, to win re-election as governor. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
The multi-state appearances will give DeSantis, a favorite of Republicans, the chance to lay out some of his Florida policy accomplishments.
He could also use the events to show his attention to national issues outside of his own state or create potential antagonisms with other GOP candidates, including former President Donald Trump.
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Kimbrell told the Associated Press on Sunday that he had been hoping to bring DeSantis to South Carolina for months. He said Republicans in the early voting state are used to hearing from multiple presidential candidates in person well before official campaigns in the state kick off.
“I’ve told everyone on his team, ‘You have to get here early and often,'” Kimbrell, who has urged DeSantis to officially run in the 2024 Republican primary, told the AP. “I tried to make it clear to them that if you want to win, you have to get here early.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at “The Florida Blueprint” event in Long Island, New York, United States on April 1, 2023. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“I believe Ron DeSantis is as popular among my backers as Trump is,” Kimbrell added. ‘But you can’t just send it. He’s going to have to squeeze the meat, roll up his sleeves and get really serious.”
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The only current GOP candidates, including Trump, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, have already visited the state.
Former President Donald Trump looks on at a rally at the Waco Regional Airport on March 25, 2023 in Waco, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Other potential candidates also orbit South Carolina.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has visited the Confederate state and Senator from South Carolina. Tim Scott will attend a summit meeting with donors later this week as he ponders his own presidential bid.
DeSantis last visited South Carolina last year for a gubernatorial fundraiser near Charleston. The event was attended by top donors in the state, including those who previously supported Trump.
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Kimbrell said he agrees with Trump on the policy, but suggested DeSantis is more “personally comfortable.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.