Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was re-elected by a landslide in November, became Donald Trump’s only real challenger in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. Six months later, DeSantis has yet to announce his candidacy, while Trump has won the support of a wide range of elected officials and expanded what was once a somewhat narrow margin. primary surveys. Reports say Trump is doing a good job. win Republican elites, while DeSantis foughtespecially in small groups with other politicians and donors.

Last week, DeSantis traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with a group of Republican lawmakers to try to drum up support. One of them, Texas Representative Lance Gooden, endorsed Trump shortly thereafter. Gooden is in his third term representing the Fifth District of Texas; he voted against certification of voters from Arizona and Pennsylvania in 2020. Gooden and I recently spoke on the phone about his support, the GOP’s concerns about DeSantis, and whether abortion could hurt the GOP next year.

Could you talk a little about your support for former President Trump and how you came to this decision?

I was a strong supporter of Donald Trump during his time in office. I was a big, strong ally. When he left his post, a period of time passed when we did not know who would be the standard-bearer of the party. Since Trump left office, various profiles have been brought up such as Ron DeSantis. I told myself that I would support the candidate I thought was the best, who I thought could win. I suspected that this candidate could and would be Donald Trump. But I did not want to support him out of loyalty and friendship. I wanted to support him because I really believed he was right. I promised myself and my constituents that I would do my due diligence, take my time and take my time with nothing. I did it.

You put aside personal friendships and said, “I will make this decision on the merits.”

Yes, and it was very difficult, because about a month ago, Donald Trump came to my state and held a rally. On the day of his rally, he released a list of all elected members of Congress and state officials who were part of his Texas leadership team. I was not on the list and it was very strange, but I thought it was too early. I also didn’t even date Ron DeSantis. I wanted to at least see him. Then either I would have made a different decision, or if I had stayed with Trump, that would have been an even stronger show of support, because I could really say that I am doing this after quite a lot of extra work.

You have done your homework. You are familiar with the politicians.

This was my goal. Yes

What did you think of DeSantis before you met him?

I will be very frank. I don’t want to sound critical. I’ll just report back.

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Much of the information I learned about Ron DeSantis came from some of my colleagues who served with him. DeSantis left Congress when I was in Congress, so I didn’t know him as a colleague. I spoke to some of the members who said he was a nice guy, but instead of having a beer after work, he would go home and FaceTime his wife and kids for an hour or two, which is admirable.

As a father, it is very difficult for me to travel back and forth across the country every week. Many times I call the night before, have a quick bite to eat, and then pick up the phone and talk to my kids while they do their homework. I understand. I respect it. But every time I turn down an invitation to dinner or a social activity with a colleague, I turn down the opportunity to expand my list of allies.

Washington is a city that loves to pat on the back, smoke cigars and drink beer. Since he didn’t, and since he was also at the Freedom Caucus where they inevitably annoy some people from time to time, I don’t know if he had such a close relationship. When he got to Florida, I think he did a fantastic job, but I’m not sure if he has the personal touch that Donald Trump might have, or I understand his wife, Mrs. DeSantis. He fought it. He was definitely very late to the game. He probably should have come to Washington and started demanding a meeting with members of the organization eight to ten months ago.

In this dichotomy between going out and having a beer with people and staying at home and talking on the phone with your kids about their homework, which do you think is more like Trump?

Well, Trump is in his seventies, he has grown children.

Right, maybe help the grandchildren with their homework.

yup One of my best friends in Congress – he raises a lot of money and has dinner every night with a colleague or member of the Washington DC. He is not married and has no children, so he can do it. I could do it, but it will cost me money that I am not willing to pay. I suspect DeSantis was in the same boat years ago.

Let’s go back to DeSantis. Back in the fall, I contacted a couple of his emissaries and basically told them, “I was a Trump supporter. I’m undecided. I really want to do my due diligence.” And I remember one of them said, “Well, he’s going to start having meetings, probably in December or January.” And it really rubbed me wrong. I thought: is he a king? Meanwhile, President Trump – I hear messages from him, he writes, calls, says: “If you are in South Florida, let me know. stop by I want to see you.” He’s very warm and he’s very approachable.

You say he doesn’t behave like a king.

He doesn’t behave like a king. He acts like your friend, your father, your grandfather. DeSantis’ orbit reminded me of my days as a state legislator, and Rick Perry’s ensemble of defenders and bosses seemed a bit exclusive. I think the Trump organization has always been very inclusive. This annoys some of his advisors because he is so approachable. One of the complaints when he was in the White House was that he was too approachable.

I think Trump’s defenders could say that he was trying to gather all the different opinions to find the best. It was the management style.

It was a management style, but I think some of the people who are on his campaigns now are saying, “Thank God he was so accessible back then because it paid dividends now that he gets support every single day.”

Tell me about meeting DeSantis on Capitol Hill.