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- A PAC intent on ousting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a new ad trying to undermine DeSantis' ties to Trump.
- DeSantis, a Trump ally running for reelection, is viewed as a potential 2024 presidential candidate.
- "Ron's beating you in the race for president," the ad says, addressing the ex-president.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
A political action committee intent on ousting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 is releasing an ad designed to undermine DeSantis' relationship with former President Donald Trump, Axios first reported.
DeSantis, a Trump ally who's running for reelection to a second four-year term, is widely viewed as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, particularly if Trump decides not to run. The ad, released by the Remove Ron PAC, tries to paint DeSantis as a direct threat to Trump's prospects of reelection.
"He was a nobody, Donald, a rookie congressman," the ad says, addressing the ex-president. "Then, you made him governor of America's third largest state. Now, Ron's beating you in the race for president."
The PAC behind the ad is led by a Florida lawyer and public health advocate, Daniel Uhlfelder, who made a name for himself last year by protesting the reopening of Florida beaches dressed in a Grim Reaper costume.
The 42-year-old Republican governor has developed a national brand as a Trumpian conservative willing to wade into the most divisive culture wars. Trump, 75, has suggested that he will run for reelection, and said DeSantis could be a good running mate. But DeSantis edged out Trump in a June straw poll of possible 2024 candidates at the Western Conservative Summit in Colorado.
"Ron must think you're past your prime or that you're a loser, Donald," the ad continues. "If he wins in '22, you're finished. Ron won't need you - neither will Florida. The clock is ticking, Donald. What are you gonna do about it?"
The governor is raking in cash for his reelection campaign and is far better funded than his likely Democratic opponent, Florida agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried.