Global Courant
Florida’s Republican Party will require 2024 presidential candidates to sign a pledge of loyalty in order to run in the state’s primaries next year.
The state’s GOP submitted the new demand to state election officials this week, cornering some Republican candidates who oppose the idea of a pledge of loyalty. Such a pledge requires candidates to support the eventual winner of the Republican primary, regardless of who wins the nomination.
Both former President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis should make the pledge, despite having so far refused to commit to anything like it.
“We tried to be consistent with what the debate required,” Evan Power, vice chairman of the Florida Republican Party, told Politico. “I don’t think this will come as a surprise.”
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Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, left, and former President Trump, right. (Getty Images)
However, Trump opposed the idea, telling radio host Hugh Hewitt that his support “should depend on who the nominee was.”
DeSantis has also dodged opportunities to endorse Trump if he wins the nomination. The governor of Florida was asked in June if he would support Trump.
“It’s an important process and, you know, you respect the process and you respect people’s decisions as to how this goes. But I’m very confident that those decisions will be positive for us,” he replied.
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Republican National Convention Chair Ronna McDaniel and the rest of the RNC impose a pledge of loyalty so GOP candidates can qualify for the first debate. (Credit: RNC)
The Florida primary could have major implications for the Republican nomination. Set for March 15 next year, the election will follow a winner-takes-all system, meaning the consequences of being left out could be game-changing.
Florida’s policy mirrors that of the Republican National Committee, which requires candidates to “support the final party nominee” to qualify for the first debate in August.
Former President Trump has resisted calls for candidates to sign a pledge of loyalty to support the eventual Republican nominee.
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Former Texas Representative Will Hurd is so far the only candidate in the field to outright reject calls for a loyalty pledge. He says he will probably support the final nominee, but he will not support Trump under any circumstances.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
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