DeSantis endorsed by 35 South Carolina lawmakers and local leaders

2024 Election

By Eric Daugherty

Published Aug. 3, 2023, 9:47 a.m. ET | Updated Aug. 3, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis campaigns for president across South Carolina, June 2023. (Video/Team DeSantis)

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis received 35 additional South Carolina state lawmaker endorsements and other local leaders.

“Nationwide the governor boasts over 275 endorsements from state legislators,” his team boasted.

The news was first reported by Fox Carolina.

South Carolina Republican State Rep. Joe Bustos praised DeSantis as having a “forward-looking vision to reverse the decline of this nation.”

“As a fellow veteran, Ron DeSantis uniquely understands the service and sacrifice of our military, veterans, and their families, and I am proud to endorse him to be the next Commander-in-Chief and President of the United States,” he continued.

Tega Cay Mayor Pro Temp Tom Hyslip also endorsed DeSantis, saying the Florida governor “delivered the most conservative agenda in the nation in Florida.”

“Cutting taxes, providing economic relief for working families, protecting personal freedoms, supporting law enforcement, and fighting for parents’ rights,” he said. “As President of the United States, he will get the job done and deliver those same results for the American people.”

Below is the list of new lawmakers and leaders endorsing DeSantis, per Fox Carolina:

State Rep. Joe Bustos
Edgefield County Sheriff Jody Rowland
McCormick County Sheriff Clarke Stearns
Aiken County Clerk of Court Robert Harte
Edgefield County Clerk of Court Charles “Sonny” Reel
Aiken County Councilman Kelley D. Mobley
Barnwell County Councilman Ben Kinlaw
Darlington County Councilman Marvin Le Flowers
Dorchester County Councilman Eddie Crosby
Greenville County Councilman Joey Russo
Laurens County Councilman Luke Rankin
Laurens County Councilman Kemp Younts
Richland County Councilman Jason Branham
Richland County Councilman Don Weaver
Inman Mayor Cornelius Huff
Tega Cay Mayor Pro Temp Tom Hyslip
Charleston City Councilman Boyd Gregg
North Augusta City Councilman David McGhee
North Augusta City Councilman Eric Presnell
Tega Cay City Councilman Gus Matchunis
Tega Cay City Councilman Scott Shirley
Clover Town Councilman Bo Legg
Fort Mill Town Councilman Allen Garrison
Isle of Palms Councilman John Bogosian
Beaufort County School Board Member Rachel Wifenski
Beaufort County School Board Member Elizabeth Hey
Charleston County School Board Member Ed Kelley
Charleston County School Board Member Leah Whatley
Clover School Board Member Matt Burris
Dorchester County School Board Member Kellie Bates
Former State Rep. Lin Bennett
Former State Rep. Sandy McGarry
Former North Augusta Mayor Pro Temp Ken McDowell
Former Charleston City Councilman Henry Fishburne
Former Mount Pleasant Town Councilman Chris Nickels

The latest slate of endorsements comes after 15 South Carolina lawmakers announced their support for DeSantis in June.

The South Carolina lawmakers endorsing DeSantis include:

State Sen. Josh Kimbrell
State Sen. Dwight Loftis
State Sen. Rex Rice
State Sen. Danny Verdin
State Rep. Gary Brewer
State Rep. Micah Caskey
State Rep. Bill Herbkersman
State Rep. Bill Hixon
State Rep. Brandon Guffey
State Rep. Steven Long
State Rep. Travis Moore
State Rep. Dennis Moss
State Rep. Chris Murphy
State Rep. Roger Nutt
State Rep. Ashley Trantham

Former President Donald Trump boasts endorsements from a large swath of the South Carolina D.C. delegation, including Sen. Lindsay Graham and Reps. Russell Fry, William Timmons, and Joe Wilson.

Trump also has the endorsement of the South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.