The White House is focusing its efforts on Florida because of fears a Democratic sweep could harm President Donald Trump's re-election plans for 2020.
"It is both my hope and my expectation that the president will be in Florida so much between now and the election that Floridians will be hearing 'Hail to the Chief' in their dreams," Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., told Politico.
The president is planning at least two more visits to the state before the Nov. 6 election, people familiar with his plans said, and Cabinet members are expected to visit as well.
There are also discussions about a robocall campaign featuring Trump, and presidential text messages are going out to state residents who have not yet cast absentee ballots.
In addition, Vice President Mike Pence and counselor Kellyanne Conway campaigned Thursday in Florida to support Rep. Ron DeSantis in his race for governor and Gov. Rick Scott's campaign for the Senate.
Party officials are also reportedly concerned several GOP voters were displaced by Hurricane Michael in Florida's Panhandle, a traditionally conservative area.
Meanwhile, DeSantis is campaigning as a stanch Trump ally, including running television ads showing his baby wearing a MAGA outfit. However, after he distanced himself from Trump's claims Democrats inflated the Hurricane Maria death toll, the president reportedly complained about the lawmaker's loyalty.
Meanwhile, Scott has been keeping his own distance, including skipping the president's rallies. A spokesman said Thursday the governor will not be at the president's Oct. 31 rally in Fort Myers, saying he is too busy focusing on hurricane recovery efforts.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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