Ron DeSantis cancels a $25,000-per-person fundraiser for New York Republican candidate Lee Zeldin in order to attend the funeral of a Florida special agent slain in the course of duty in a car accident.
DeSantis was scheduled to appear with Zeldin at a Long Island event. Sunday Zeldin’s office announced that he had to withdraw due to a “unexpected tragedy.”
It was later verified that he attended the funeral of a deceased Florida special agent. FDLE agent Jose Perez was recently died in an automobile accident while responding to a call.
Casey DeSantis, the wife of the governor of Florida, was previously diagnosed with breast cancer but was certified cancer-free in March.
DeSantis’ planned rally for Zeldin follows a brief campaign swing through critical swing states on behalf of Republican candidates.
He campaigned for Republicans in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio, and New Mexico via Turning Point Action-organized rallies.
The governor has amassed a campaign war fund of over $172 million.
According to reports, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis skipped a $25,000-per-plate fundraiser for New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin on Sunday in order to attend the funeral of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent killed in the course of duty.
Katie Vincentz, a spokesperson for Zeldin, told the New York Post on Monday morning, “An unanticipated tragedy compelled Governor DeSantis to delay his travel to New York.” While we reschedule with Governor DeSantis for a later date, tonight’s fundraiser will continue and is expected to earn around $1 million.
The Post and other publications later reported that DeSantis skipped the Sunday night fundraiser in Oyster Bay, Long Island, in order to attend the funeral on Monday of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jose Perez, who was recently died in a car accident while responding to a call.
Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, tweeted on Monday, “We grieve the devastating loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the course of duty.”
She stated, “With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces and over 30 years in law enforcement, Dad led a courageous life serving our nation and state.”
Zeldin, who is presently a member of the House of Representatives, is challenging the incumbent Democratic governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, in the general election in November with the support of Donald Trump.
His campaign grabbed news last month when a man attempted to stab him at one of his events with supporters. Zeldin was unharmed, and his assailant was apprehended.
Sunday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis canceled a $25,000-per-plate fundraiser for New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin, citing a “unexpected tragedy.”
Hochul has increased her attacks on Republicans and advised some of them to “get back to Florida.”
She again attacked DeSantis during an event commemorating the Holocaust by stating, “I would like to thank the 1.77 million Jews who call New York home for making it their home.” Do not travel or leave the state. The state of Florida is overvalued.
Prior to the key midterm elections, New York is one of the Democratic states vigorously preserving abortion rights.
House Republican Zeldin seeks to unseat Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.
Last Monday, DeSantis learned he will face Democratic House Representative Charlie Crist in November.
Voters chose Crist, who was a registered Republican when he previously served as Florida governor for one term more than a decade ago, over Nikki Fried, the state’s progressive and vocal agriculture commissioner.
Crist has criticized DeSantis as a ‘want tobe dictator’ and a ‘extremist,’ and on election night he warned supporters that the governor ‘cares only about the White House. He has no interest in your home.
In 2024, the Republican who has quickly become one of his party’s rising stars is expected to run for president.
He has previously evaded inquiries about his White House ambitions, and in recent interviews he has claimed that his focus is on defeating Crist in November of this year.
In recent months, though, DeSantis has continued to exert his tremendous influence in primary contests across the country.
Recently, he concluded leading a series of ‘Unite and Win’ rallies held by Turning Point Action on behalf of Republican candidates in six pivotal swing states.
This includes appearances in Arizona with gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and Senate candidate Blake Masters, in Ohio with JD Vance’s Senate campaign, in Pennsylvania with gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, and in New Mexico with Republican candidates.
DeSantis enters his own race against Crist with a substantially larger war money.
More than $172 million has been raised for DeSantis’ re-election campaign, an amazing sum even for a national politician, let alone a state candidate.
In comparison, Crist has raised slightly over $24 million.