Rep. Steube sounds off on lawmakers for ‘carrying the water’ of DeSantis’ potential 2024 ambitions
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube criticized state lawmakers for “carrying the water” for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ potential 2024 presidential ambitions.
He called out DeSantis’ recent travels across the country since his book launch as an “unannounced presidential campaign,” echoing similar claims made by the Trump campaign.
“Sad to see the Florida House and Senate, two bodies I had the honor to serve in, carrying the water for an unannounced presidential campaign,” Steube said on Twitter Friday afternoon.
The comments came the morning after a meetup with former President Donald Trump, whom he endorsed for president a few days prior.
“To my fellow elected officials serving in Tallahassee, your constituents voted you into those positions to represent them, not to kowtow to the presidential ambitions of a Governor! Be strong and courageous, the people of Florida will thank you,” Steube continued.
He linked to a report from POLITICO by Gary Fineout titled “‘Deeply frustrated’: Florida legislators worn out by DeSantis.”
Florida’s Voice reached out to Steube on which specific legislative priorities he takes issue with and will include his response, if provided.
DeSantis has not said he is running for president in 2024 yet, but indicated he could announce a bid after the Florida Legislature wraps up its session in May.
At the time of reporting, DeSantis will travel to states like Illinois and Iowa in the middle of May, according to news reports.
He will also embark on a trade mission to Asia, the United Kingdom and Israel later in April.
Florida’s resign-to-run law could also serve as an issue for DeSantis if he wants to remain governor while running for president.
Lawmakers said before the legislative session began that they are open to changing the law, but no proposals have been put forward yet at the time of reporting.
Steube is among several Florida Republican representatives that have endorsed Trump for 2024.
Over the past couple days, Trump added Florida Republican Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Mike Waltz, Vern Buchanan and Brian Mast to his increasingly long list of Florida endorsements.
He also recently gained the 2024 endorsement of other Florida Republican Reps. John Rutherford, Greg Steube, Cory Mills, Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna.
Another notable endorsement is Joe Gruters, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and current Republican state senator.
DeSantis has received the endorsement of Florida Republican Rep. Laurel Lee, also the former secretary of state under the governor.
