Senate Republicans are worried that former President Trump’s early attacks against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) act as evidence of a competitive GOP 2024 primary to come. However, this conflict could result in both candidates being weaker as they enter the general election.
So far, DeSantis has not yet announced what his intentions for 2024 are, however, it is widely speculated that once the Florida legislative session is over he will enter the Presidential race. Former President Trump entered the presidential race in November, only a week after the midterm elections.
GOP lawmakers have stated that DeSantis needed to show that he was able to handle the attacks. However, they are not surprised to see Trump already attacking his perceived chief rival. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) when asked about Trump’s attacks and tactics stated that it was not her “style” and much like she had “winced in 2016” she was also “wincing now.” She then proceeded to say that it would be “too much to ask” to try and remove the New York Style from Donald Trump.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who won reelection in 2022 even though she had voted in favor of Trump being convicted on an impeachment charge in February 2021, also stated that she was not happy with the attacks coming from Trump. She stated specifically that it is “nasty and personal” and that it is not a necessary part of the campaign which should instead be focused on discussing key issues.
