DeSantis endorses O'Dea in Colorado Senate race, bucking Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is recording a robocall for underdog Senate contender Joe O’Dea, a lift for the Colorado Republican after former President Donald Trump urged grassroots conservatives to desert his marketing campaign.

“Hiya that is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. America wants sturdy management and desperately. That’s why I’m endorsing Joe O’Dea for U.S. Senate. Colorado, please vote for Joe O’Dea,” DeSantis says within the robocall, a recording of which was offered to the Washington Examiner on Sunday by the O’Dea marketing campaign. “I’ve watched Joe from a distance. And I’m impressed.”

In endorsing O’Dea, DeSantis is charting a course separate from Trump within the midterm elections and stoking hypothesis the 2 Republican heavyweights are on a collision course within the upcoming 2024 GOP presidential main. Simply days earlier, the previous president lashed out at O’Dea, calling him a “RINO,” which stands for “Republican in Title Solely,” and criticizing him for talking overtly about their disagreements.

Working in a blue state that not often elects Republicans statewide and trailing Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) in public opinion polls regardless of a good political setting, O’Dea’s technique of distancing himself from Trump and taking centrist positions on sure points is wise. Bennet led O’Dea 49.5% to 42% within the RealClearPolitics common and has topped his Republican challenger in all six of the latest surveys.

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However none of that issues to the previous president, who tends to prioritize private loyalty to him over increasing the Republican Get together’s attain in blue states. A day after the candidate vowed on a Sunday morning speak present to "actively marketing campaign in opposition to" Trump, on Oct. 17 the previous president posted a prolonged rejection of O’Dea on Reality Social, the Twitter-like social media platform he based. O’Dea, 60, proprietor of a big building firm, is mounting his first bid for public workplace.

“There’s this RINO character within the Nice State of Colorado, Joe O’Dea, that's operating in opposition to the incumbent Democrat for the US Senate, who's having an excellent previous time saying that he desires to 'distance' himself from President Trump, and different barely nasty issues,” Trump stated. “MAGA doesn’t Vote for silly folks with large mouths. Good luck Joe!”

Enter DeSantis, who's cruising to reelection in Florida.

Subsequent to Trump, the Florida governor is probably the preferred Republican amongst grassroots conservatives nationwide, and the O’Dea marketing campaign is expressing confidence that DeSantis’s endorsement two weeks earlier than Election Day will bolster help amongst any wavering GOP base voters. They're a definite minority in Colorado, however O’Dea wants them in his nook if he hopes to assemble a voter coalition able to toppling Bennet.

“This man isn’t a profession politician. He’s a contractor. He’s constructed an organization from nothing. He’s a pacesetter who is aware of learn how to combat and get outcomes. Michael Bennet votes with [President] Joe Biden 98% of the time. The outcomes have been a catastrophe for the American folks,” DeSantis says within the robocall. “Colorado wants new management.”

“Joe’s centered on constructing the wall and cracking down on crime,” DeSantis provides. “He’ll stand-up to the large spending politicians in each events and lower pink tape. Vote Joe O’Dea and let’s flip Colorado pink!”

That final element of the Florida governor’s remarks, about O’Dea’s staunch help for border safety and give attention to decreasing crime, is considered as essential by the Colorado Republican’s marketing campaign.

O’Dea has distanced himself from Trump on issues referring to the 2020 election and has expressed remorse that Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court docket. However he has sounded similar to another conservative Republican on points referring to immigration and public security — to not point out inflation. Mixed with DeSantis’s recent seal of approval, the O’Dea marketing campaign argues it's positioned to maximise help from the GOP base.

The O’Dea marketing campaign is planning to deploy DeSantis’s endorsement and robocall feedback in focused digital promoting and different types of voter outreach.

Along with help from DeSantis, O’Dea has been endorsed by a who’s who of Republicans eyeing a 2024 White Home bid, together with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR); former ambassador Nikki Haley; Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan; and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). DeSantis additionally has the backing of Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).