In a recent development, the Republican Party of Florida has unveiled the lineup for the upcoming March primary ballot, featuring eight prominent Republican candidates vying for the presidency. Notable figures include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former President Donald Trump. Surprisingly, a last-minute entrant, Ryan Binkley, a Dallas-based CEO and pastor, has also qualified for the ballot.
Ryan Binkley, a relatively lesser-known candidate, has self-financed his long-shot presidential bid, spending over $7 million on the campaign by September. His platform addresses issues such as the national debt, inflation, healthcare spending, and immigration. Despite making campaign appearances in early states like Iowa, Binkley has not gained significant public attention compared to other candidates.
The Florida primary, scheduled for March 19, is a winner-take-all contest that follows the early nominating states and Super Tuesday. While candidates like Trump and DeSantis appeared at the recent “Florida Freedom Summit,” Nikki Haley, considered a top challenger to Trump, paid a hefty fee after canceling her appearance at the event.
In 2016, Trump won the Florida primary decisively, leading to the withdrawal of then-candidate Sen. Marco Rubio. This year, candidates have until November 30 to be submitted to state election officials, and withdrawals can occur until December 12.
Notably, the Trump campaign has been taunting Governor DeSantis about the upcoming deadline, urging him to withdraw from the ballot to avoid potential embarrassment. Florida Republicans initially planned a loyalty pledge for GOP candidates, requiring them to endorse the Republican nominee and refrain from running as third-party or independent candidates. However, this pledge was abandoned in September under pressure from Trump supporters.
As the primary season unfolds, Florida’s pivotal role in the presidential race and the dynamics between the candidates, particularly the relationship between DeSantis and Trump, will be closely watched. The state’s winner-take-all format adds extra significance to the Florida primary, making it a crucial battleground for the Republican candidates.
COMMENTS