Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning a private fundraiser in Utah later this month that is expected to draw some of the country's wealthiest Republican donors as he signals a possible run for president in 2024.
DeSantis is set to head to Utah the week of July 18 for the private gathering, according to people familiar with the matter. Many asked not to be identified because the campaign is trying to keep the private event from getting too much public attention.
Though DeSantis is coming to Utah to raise money for his 2022 gubernatorial reelection campaign, fundraisers held in far-flung states like Utah, which is more than 2,000 miles from his home state, often suggest national aspirations.
The state is known to be a GOP stronghold; Utah voters have picked a Republican for president in each of the past six elections. Former President Donald Trump beat Joe Biden in the state by 20 percentage points in 2020.
Carson Jorgensen, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, said the state party isn't co-hosting the event, but it will likely send someone to what's expected to include breakfast and lunch with DeSantis. He noted the event is privately hosted and closed to the press.
"We just want to see more events done in the state supporting great candidates across the country," Jorgensen said in a text message. He did not confirm a date of the gathering or who is going to be hosting DeSantis.
DeSantis spokeswoman Lindsey Curnutte wouldn't confirm any details, saying the campaign doesn't "discuss private fundraising events with members of the press."
DeSantis hasn't declared his candidacy for president, but he also hasn't ruled it out. In a recent interview on Fox News, he didn't nix the idea of running for president — even if it meant he had to first beat Trump in the Republican primary.
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Submitted 630 days ago
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