Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has shifted his focus to South Carolina, spending the weekend in the low country ahead of the state's primary in just over a month. Meanwhile, Governor Rhonda Sanchez has been engaged in a Q&A session with voters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Critics of DeSantis argue that his presence in South Carolina suggests he is bypassing New Hampshire due to a perceived lack of support there. However, the campaign defends his absence, stating that he had already visited New Hampshire the previous evening and intends to return. The purpose of his current swing through South Carolina is to put pressure on former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to secure a victory in her home state. Should she fail to do so, it is implied that she should consider dropping out of the race.
DeSantis takes a direct jab at Donald Trump, asserting that his campaign is centered on personal issues rather than the concerns of the American people. In contrast, DeSantis claims to be running on the issues that matter to the voters and their families.
Supporting DeSantis' efforts in South Carolina is the Super PAC called 'Never Back Down.' The Super PAC is hosting events for the governor and has redirected its staff resources from Iowa to South Carolina, after a disappointing second-place finish in Iowa. The DeSantis campaign believes that focusing on South Carolina will be crucial in determining the outcome of the race.
As DeSantis continues his campaign in South Carolina, his team plans additional stops in Florence and Columbia, the state capital where Haley once served as governor. A DeSantis spokesperson states that if Haley fails to win her home state, her campaign will lose momentum, resulting in a two-person race.
In response, a Haley spokesperson welcomes DeSantis to South Carolina and dismisses his efforts as merely a vacation for the governor.
Critics and supporters will eagerly watch how DeSantis' strategic shift to South Carolina will impact the race, especially as he intensifies pressure on Nikki Haley to secure a victory in her home state. With the majority of DeSantis' campaign staff now stationed in South Carolina, this move signifies the importance attributed to the primary there. Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether DeSantis' aggressive tactics will yield the desired results, as the race for the Republican nomination for president continues.
