Pro-DeSantis Group Makes Shocking Claim About FEC Interference

A political action organization called “Ready for Ron,” which wants Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to run for president in 2024, claimed today that the Federal Election Commission is seeking to thwart its efforts. The Florida-based nonprofit was surprised to learn that the FEC, although having been asked to approve its proposal, appeared set to thwart the action. In May, ‘Ready for Ron’ was established with the goal of gathering thousands of signatures on a widely publicized petition to persuade DeSantis that there is widespread support for presidential run in 2024, particularly if former President Donald Trump decides not to run.

As The Washington Examiner reports:

Only one man can take the America-First agenda forward – Governor Ron DeSantis!

Are you Ready for Ron?

Visit https://t.co/2ovbtWf1oJ and sign the petiton today! pic.twitter.com/JboROa0HKT

— Ready for Ron (@Ready4Ron) May 24, 2022

“President Donald Trump, who became a candidate for re-election mere hours after his 2017 Inauguration, is not among the 367 current candidates in the 2024 presidential election. Consequently, R4R has organized as a ‘draft committee’ that seeks to encourage Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is also not a candidate for president and has not expressed any intention to run for president,” said the group in its May letter to the FEC.

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However, the FEC has drafted two responses that would trip up the effort. One would ban giving the petition to DeSantis outright, claiming it would have a value higher than contribution limits allow. A second “Draft B” would allow the free transfer, but only before DeSantis begins any exploratory effort.

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“The Commission should modify Draft B, however, to recognize RFR may provide its petition, along with the names and contact information for its signatories, to Governor DeSantis even if he: (i) begins testing the waters and/or (ii) becomes a candidate. Neither the Federal Election Campaign Act nor FEC regulations empowers the Commission to regulate, much less prohibit, political petitions to draft potential candidates,” said the memo.

The group suggested that the agency’s legal team was stretching the law and limiting free speech in drawing up limits to the transfer.

Rep. Charlie Crist is DeSantis’ opponent in the upcoming election. DeSantis has addressed a number of topics important to the GOP base during his first term and is highly regarded as a possible 2024 presidential candidate and ally of former President Trump. Due to his widespread appeal, he has been actively supporting Republican candidates around the country in the lead up to the midterm elections.

Matthew Williams