Reps. Schultz, Wilcox among Utah officials encouraging DeSantis presidential bid
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- From left, Utah Reps. Ryan Wilcox and Mike Schultz. Both represent portions of Weber County.
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- Incumbent Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, waves alongside his Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez at an election night party after winning his race for reelection, in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.
SALT LAKE CITY — Two Weber County lawmakers, Reps. Mike Schultz and Ryan Wilcox, are among 86 elected officials in Utah urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to consider a U.S. presidential bid in 2024.
“I think a lot of us just feel like (DeSantis) is the most prepared of those who are considering that role,” said Wilcox, from Ogden.
Schultz, from Hooper, said he was swayed to the DeSantis camp after former President Donald Trump, expected to announce Tuesday that he plans to run again for president in 2024, criticized the Florida governor in the lead up to Election Day, Nov. 8. Trump derided DeSantis as “Ron De-Sanctimonious” during a Nov. 5 rally in Pennsylvania.
“There’s certainly a lot less drama, or no drama, with DeSantis,” said Schultz. “I’m just tired of drama.”
Utah Sens. Todd Weiler, Mike McKell and Daniel McCay issued a statement Monday encouraging DeSantis, a Republican, to consider a bid. In the statement, they identified 83 other Utah elected officials who also favor DeSantis, including Wilcox and Schultz
“We recognize the need for a strong leader to guide and direct our nation, someone with a proven track record, strong conservative foundation and who understands the operations of state government,” reads the statement from Weiler, McKell and McCay. “We need a leader who will strengthen and unify the nation.”
Wilcox said the rumblings among Utah GOPers for DeSantis have heightened in the aftermath of the midterm elections, which didn’t go as well for Republicans across the country as anticipated by most pundits. “I think the midterms were underwhelming,” Wilcox told the Standard-Examiner.
Wilcox touted DeSantis’ background — as a member of the U.S. House before becoming Florida governor, as a U.S. Navy JAG officer and as a graduate of Harvard Law School. “I think there are a lot of Republicans who feel Gov. DeSantis is our best shot,” he said.
The statement on Monday from the three Utah senators made no mention of Trump. Wilcox said his stance on DeSantis “has nothing to do with Donald Trump.”
Schultz, though, expressed a measure of exasperation with Trump. “I just think we need someone who will try to unite the nation, basically, and the Republican Party, and I think DeSantis is the one,” said Schultz, who also serves as the majority leader in the Utah House.
The 86 Utah officials encouraging DeSantis to consider a bid include state senators and representatives, city council members and more.
