Exclusive: 19 North Carolina leaders endorse DeSantis for president

June 9, 2023 — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addresses the crowd at the 2023 NCGOP Convention in Greensboro. Photo by James Piedad, North State Journal.

RALEIGH — Some of the top elected Republicans in North Carolina have officially thrown their endorsement behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in his bid for the presidency.

“Governor DeSantis is a principled leader, a protector of individual liberties, and the Left’s biggest nightmare,” North Carolina House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) said in a statement obtained by North State Journal. “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.”

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North Carolina state Sens. endorsing DeSantis include Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck), Danny Britt (R-Robeson) and Jim Burgin (R-Harnett).

In the House, DeSantis gained the endorsement of state Reps. Allen Chesser (R-Nash), David Willis (R-Union), Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance), Jarrod Lowery (R-Robeson), Jason Saine (R-Lincoln), Jeff McNeely (R-Iredell), Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson), Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort), Ken Fontenot (R-Wilson), Kevin Crutchfield (R-Cabarrus), Matthew Winslow (R-Franklin), Sam Watford (R-Davidson), Steve Ross (R-Alamance) and Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly).

State Supreme Court Associate Justice Phil Berger, Jr. has also lent his endorsement to the Florida governor according to DeSantis’ campaign.

The endorsements follow the slate of endorsements DeSantis received last week from South Carolina state legislators and the governor’s successful visit to the Tarheel State earlier this month.

With the addition of the 19 North Carolina lawmakers, DeSantis’ coalition of support rises to 250 state legislators nationwide.

DeSantis has picked up 99 state legislator endorsements in his home state of Florida, 51 in New Hampshire, 37 in Iowa, 20 in Oklahoma, 19 in Michigan, and 15 in South Carolina.

About A.P. Dillon 1415 Articles
A.P. Dillon is a North State Journal reporter located near Raleigh, North Carolina. Find her on Twitter: @APDillon_