Donald Trump’s allies have stepped up their fight against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, filing a formal complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics on Wednesday.[0] The 15-page complaint claims that DeSantis has violated state ethics and election laws with his “shadow presidential campaign” by accepting illegal campaign contributions and coordinating a “shadow presidential campaign.”[1]
The complaint from MAGA, Inc. says DeSantis has launched a “shadow presidential campaign” and is amassing “significant personal wealth and political capital” through his “personally lucrative book tour” and state-level campaign contributions.[2] It also points to a Florida law that says any elected official “who qualifies for federal public office must resign from the office he or she presently holds if the terms, or any part thereof, run concurrently with each other.”[3]
The complaint argues that the flurry of activities by DeSantis and his allied groups “are unlawful because they serve his personal political objectives, are in furtherance of his personal financial gain at the expense of Florida taxpayers, and are intended to influence his official decision to resign from office.”[4]
Taylor Budowich, the head of MAGA, Inc., argues to Glenton Gilzean Jr., the chair of the Florida Commission, and a DeSantis appointee, that there is “strong evidence” that DeSantis has engaged in “illegal conduct.”[0] He noted that DeSantis’ political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, has continued fundraising initiatives despite term limits keeping DeSantis from running for a third stint as governor.[2]
DeSantis has received strong support from former Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who says he has been speaking to “grassroots conservative activists” who are enthusiastic about a DeSantis run.[5] Cuccinelli, who served as acting deputy Homeland Security secretary under President Donald Trump, was a notable figure in the former president’s attempts to use his administration to pursue unfounded election fraud claims after the 2020 election.[6]
0. “Pro-Trump super PAC demands DeSantis ethics investigation, governor’s spokeswoman slams ‘frivolous’ attack” Fox News, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pro-trump-super-pac-demands-desantis-ethics-investigation-governor-spokeswoman-slams-frivolous-attack
1. “Trump super PAC files ethics complaint against DeSantis over ‘shadow campaign’” The Independent, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ethics-complaint-desantis-pac-b2301642.html
2. “Trump Supporters Try to Oust DeSantis From Office” Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-supporters-try-ousting-ron-desantis-office-1788021
3. “Pro-Trump group alleges DeSantis breaking ethics laws with ‘shadow’ campaign” Tampa Bay Times, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2023/03/15/trump-desantis-campaign-2024-ethics-maga-book/
4. “JUST IN: Team Trump Files Ethics Complaint Against DeSantis For ‘Personal Financial Gain’ At Taxpayer Expense” Mediaite, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.mediaite.com/news/just-in-team-trump-files-ethics-complaint-against-desantis-for-personal-financial-gain-at-taxpayer-expense/
5. “Ex-Trump official Cuccinelli launches PAC urging DeSantis to enter 2024 race” CNN, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/politics/ken-cuccinelli-ron-desantis-super-pac/index.html
6. “Ex-Trump Official Ken Cuccinelli Launches Pro-DeSantis PAC” Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/03/09/ex-trump-official-ken-cuccinelli-launches-pro-desantis-pac/
