DeSantis endorsed by 19 North Carolina GOP leaders

2024 Election

By Eric Daugherty

Published Jun. 28, 2023, 9:35 a.m. ET | Updated Jun. 28, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis makes 2024 campaign stop in Hollis, N.H., June 27, 2023. (Photo/Team DeSantis)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis was endorsed by 19 North Carolina political leaders for president in 2024, his campaign announced Wednesday morning.

One of the top names on the North Carolina endorsement list includes state House Majority Leader John Bell.

“Governor DeSantis is a principled leader, a protector of individual liberties, and the Left’s biggest nightmare,” the speaker said. “He will beat Joe Biden and usher in a Great American Comeback in which parents are empowered, our streets are safe, and our economy is booming once again.”

North Carolina’s presidential primary is held on March 5.

DeSantis’ campaign celebrated the state lawmaker endorsements, 18 of which are in North Carolina, bringing his nationwide total to 250 state legislators.

One of the North Carolina endorsers was state Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr.

The others include:

Sen. Bobby Hanig
Sen. Danny Britt
Sen. Jim Burgin
Rep. Allen Chesse
Rep. David Willis
Rep. Dennis Riddell
Rep. Jarrod Lowery
Rep. Jason Saine
Rep. Jeff McNeely
Rep. Jennifer Balkcom
Rep. Keith Kidwell
Rep. Kenneth Fontenot
Rep. Kevin Crutchfield
Rep. Matthew Winslow
Rep. Sam Watford
Rep. Steve Ross
Rep. Wayne Sasser

Other states where DeSantis has obtained lawmaker endorsements include Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Former President Donald Trump leads the endorsement race by far, as tracked by FiveThirtyEight.

Trump has received the backing of North Carolina Republicans as well, including Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, U.S. Sen. Ted Budd and U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson.