DeSantis Pulls Out Of Major Gubernatorial Fundraiser Due to ‘Unforeseen Tragedy’

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OPINION: This article contains commentary which may reflect the author’s opinion

In New York, the race for governor is crossing state lines.

New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin, a congressman from Long Island, is running against Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was named to the position when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo stepped down amid allegations of misconduct that he categorically denied.

In recent days, in her campaigning against Zeldin, Hochul has targeted Florida and DeSantis.

DeSantis is a high-profile Republican who has won applause from conservatives for his no-nonsense approach to governing the state of Florida.

Several weeks ago, Hochul criticized Florida during a Holocaust memorial event, apparently not realizing that some Jews may be conservative.

“I just want to say to the 1.77 million Jews who call New York home: Thank you for calling New York home,” the governor said. “Don’t go anywhere or to another state. Florida is overrated … look at the governor.”

When it was announced DeSantis would be heading to New York to attend a fundraiser for Zeldin, state Democratic leaders criticized the move and attacked Zeldin.

“Lee Zeldin and Ron DeSantis are not just any Republicans,” said Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs in a recent Zoom call, without elaborating. “They are cut from the same cloth of a far-right fringe who want to roll back fundamental rights and push an extreme agenda on New Yorkers.”

DeSantis is facing his own reelection battle against former Gov. Charlie Crist, a Democrat.

In a new poll reported by Impact Research, numbers show Gov. DeSantis leading Democratic nominee Christ by 5 percentage points.

However, there has been speculation the governor may mount a run for president in 2024, although DeSantis has frequently declined to comment on the prospect.

Although most polls show former President Donald Trump as the conservative frontrunner for the Republican nomination, DeSantis has remained a close second.

And the Hill reported that “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fares better in a hypothetical head-to-head 2024 matchup against President Biden that former President Donald Trump does, according to a new YouGov poll out Friday.”

Other Republicans not included in that poll who may run include Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)

In Florida, comments by Christ show that he knows beating DeSantis will be a tough prospect.

In a recent CNN interview, Democrat Crist, also a former congressman, said that he needs more money to take on DeSantis otherwise the governor will grow too popular and powerful in his state.

“It is the Democrats’ last chance to stop him and it’s going to be a lot cheaper to do it in Florida than it would be in 50 states,” Crist told CNN while repeatedly plugging his campaign website.

Considering that polls have showed the Democrats’ fundraising to be at a powerful level across the country, Crist’s plea for funds seems a bit desperate.

DeSantis has consistently met attacks head-on, and is popular in Florida and with conservatives.

In addition to his battles with Disney, parents’ rights in education, and other high-profile situations, DeSantis recently announced breaking news regarding election laws.

Following investigations by the Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 20 individuals are being arrested for breaking Florida’s election laws.

All 20 of these individuals were disqualified from voting after they were convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, but they chose to vote anyway, and now they have all been charged with voter fraud – a third-degree felony punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.

On a personal note, the DeSanitis’ have also won another war.

His wife, Casey, has been waging a battle with cancer since De Santis was elected to the governor’s office, but earlier this year, DeSantis confirmed that his wife was free of cancer months after she was diagnosed with the disease.

But regardless of his victories, DeSantis is now under attack for being absent at an event.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis intended to be at the Zeldin event, but pulled out of a high-dollar fundraiser for Zeldin on Sunday due to an “unforeseen tragedy,” according to a Zeldin spokesperson.

“An unforeseen tragedy forced Governor DeSantis to reschedule his trip to New York,” Zeldin (R-N.Y.) spokeswoman Katie Vincentz told the New York Post.

“While we’re rescheduling with Governor DeSantis for a later date, tonight’s fundraiser will proceed and is expected to raise almost a million dollars.”

It’s not clear what the tragedy was, Western Journal reported.

Vincentz didn’t elaborate, and neither DeSantis nor his team made a public comment about the specificities of the matter on Monday.

A spokesperson for DeSantis issued a comment to The Epoch Times later on Monday and pointed to the governor’s schedule.

At 11 a.m., there was a funeral for Jose Perez, who worked for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, that DeSantis will attend, according to his schedule.

Losing an officer is definitely a tragedy, and Politico is reporting that that is the reason DeSantis missed the event.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis canceled a political fundraiser for Rep. Lee Zeldin Sunday night to attend services for a Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent killed in the line of duty.

DeSantis’ office confirmed he would be attending the Monday morning service for Special Agent Jose Perez, who died 18 days after sustaining injuries during an Aug. 2 traffic crash. Authorities arrested another driver allegedly involved in the crash and charged him with DUI manslaughter, among other violations.

“Today we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty,” tweeted first lady Casey DeSantis. “With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers.”

DeSantis communications director Taryn Fenske confirmed DeSantis was attending the Monday services. The campaign did not respond to requests seeking comment, but two people familiar with the decision said DeSantis canceled his appearance at Zeldin’s event so he could attend the service, which is taking place in Miami. Zeldin is the Republican gubernatorial nominee for New York.

Source: The Republic Brief