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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke on Monday afternoon to about 60 donors paying $3,300 each at Harris Ranch in Coalinga.
This was the second stop of a California fundraising tour for DeSantis, who headed to Southern California after the event. He also appeared for a Monday breakfast at a Sacramento country club.
DeSantis is running for the Republican presidential nomination.
Security was tight. The event was held in a closed-off area of the Harris Inn restaurant. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office provided security.
The event was hosted by Coalinga rancher John Harris and Fresno developer Richard F. Spencer.
DeSantis did not publicly address the media or appear in a public area.
Spencer Talks About the Republican Field
Said Spencer before DeSantis’ plane touched down at the Coalinga Airport: “I think (former President Donald) Trump did a lot of really good things for us before he did some not-so-good things for us — us being conservative Republicans. I would personally be delighted if he changed his mind … and didn’t run. But I doubt very much that that’s going to happen.”
Spencer also addressed the Republican presidential field.
“We think that this guy (DeSantis) is a real good guy and probably would make a really good president. I also think that Tim Scott has a very positive message and needs to be brought, perhaps, and exposed to people here (in the Valley). Nikki Haley, I know, is John’s (Harris) kind of first choice and she would be really good. So that’s more of the category of this (event). It’s not suggesting that we are advocating this person as opposed to any other. It’s just exposing him to the community.”
William Bourdeau, executive vice president of Harris Ranch and a Republican activist, also talked with GV Wire.
“I think it’s important that we evaluate all the candidates. It’s such an important job,” Boudreau said.
Asked if DeSantis talked about President Joe Biden or Trump, Boudreau said, “Not so much. He’s focusing on what he can do to help move the country forward.”
DeSantis Trails Trump in California Poll
A Berkeley IGS poll released on May 28 shows Trump leading DeSantis in the Republican primary in California. According to the poll, 44% of likely Republican voters stating they would vote for Trump; 26% indicated they would pick DeSantis.
Biden in Golden State, Too
Biden’s campaign is picking up steam in California with a reception at 3:30 p.m. in Los Gatos and another at 6:15 p.m. in Atherton. The president also will appear at a fundraiser with tech/climate investors on Tuesday night in Marin County. Gov. Gavin Newsom is among those expected at the event.