Utah State Sen. Todd Weiler throws support behind DeSantis
Jul 19, 2023, 1:58 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention. (Ryan Sun/ Deseret News)
(Ryan Sun/ Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Some of Utah’s Republican lawmakers are voicing support for Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Utah state Sen. Todd Weiler voiced his support for DeSantis on KSL NewsRadio’s Dave and Dujanovic. He said he likes that DeSantis does not back down from issues and that he was a bold leader of the state of Florida during the pandemic.
DeSantis returning to Utah
DeSantis will visit the State Capitol this Friday for a campaign event hosted by Weiler. DeSantis was also the keynote speaker at the GOP Convention last April at Utah Valley University.
Gov. Spencer Cox will not be on the Capitol steps on Friday. Weiler said that he feels it would not be appropriate for Gov. Cox to attend and endorse a candidate so early. Cox is the chair of the National Governors Association.
“I’ve been told the governor will be meeting privately with DeSantis while he is in town,” said Weiler.
Weiler also clarified that he’d be hosting the event between lawmakers on the Capitol steps but would not be hosting any fundraisers for DeSantis.
Republican’s choice
“DeSantis has a couple of rough edges, but I do think he’s the Republicans’ best choice of retaking the White House next year,” said Weiler. He added that the Republican party should choose someone who can win the vote of independents in the election.
He said that Donald Trump is unlikely to win because independents do not like him.
“His criminal indictments have emboldened the far right who love Donald Trump, but they can only vote for him once, and they can’t vote for him three or four times, despite what some of them may believe is happening on the other side of the aisle,” said Weiler.
“Obviously, Utah is not a big power player in terms of electoral votes, but we are a Super Tuesday state and I think that DeSantis is eyeing Utah for a win next March that might give him the momentum he needs to eventually secure the nomination,” said Weiler.
“I think as more Republicans understand, DeSantis could serve for eight years and Trump can only serve for four. I mean that right there I think should motivate a lot of people to support Ron DeSantis,” said Weiler.
