Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., says he is running for governor of Florida in the 2018 election.
"I'm in a position to exercise the leadership that can build on the great work that Gov. Rick Scott has done to advance economic opportunity, reform education, and drain the swamp in Tallahassee, which needs to be drained just like Washington," DeSantis told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program.
"I think if you work hard and do good things, I think people tend to notice that," DeSantis said, when asked why billionaires Sheldon Adelson and Rebekah Mercer were part of his leadership team.
DeSantis discussed the federal government opening up offshore drilling in Florida, noting his shared opposition to it, along with Gov. Scott.
"In Florida, our coastline is so important to our economy. It's important to property values. It's important to tourism, and we need to protect our coastline," the congressman said.
"I'm going to be fighting with Gov. Scott to protect Florida's coastline. You know what? I think this is just a draft proposal. I think the White House will ultimately be with us, and I think we will be able to work it out that Florida's beaches are protected," DeSantis said.
The Fund for Florida's Future, a committee that is expected to support DeSantis, started December with around $2 million.
DeSantis' congressional committee has about $1.7 million that could be used in DeSantis' race for governor, The Palm Beach Post reported.
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