Gimenez latest Florida Republican to back TRUMP over DeSantis as the race to secure backing ramps up

Rep. Carlos Gimenez is the latest Florida Republican to endorse Donald Trump over Ron DeSantis for president in 2024, DailyMail.com has exclusively learned, as the race to secure backing from leaders in the key battleground state ramps up.

'I am proud to endorse President Donald J. Trump to serve as our next Commander-In-Chief to fight socialism both at home and abroad, rebuild our economy, and to secure and protect our nation so that America continues being the freest, most exceptional country in the history of the world,' Gimenez told DailyMail.com Friday.

'I was born in Cuba and fled my native homeland shortly after the Communist takeover. In South Florida, we truly understand the value of freedom first-hand because so many of us know how it feels to live without it,' Gimenez continued. 'Under Joe Biden, America is less safe, less prosperous, and less free.' 

The endorsement comes after a handful of other Florida Republican lawmakers have publicly expressed in recent days that they will back the former president in his bid for a second term. It is a blow to sitting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to enter the 2024 GOP primary, although he has not yet officially announced.

Gimenez's endorsement is the eleventh total in the Florida GOP delegation to throw support behind Trump in 2024.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez is the eleventh Florida Republican to back Trump over DeSantis in 2024

DeSantis is in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with former colleagues and speaking at the Heritage Foundation

The Florida lawmakers in addition to Gimenez who are backing Trump include: Matt Gaetz, Brian Mast, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills, Greg Steube, Byron Donalds, Vern Buchanan, Gus Bilirakis, Michael Waltz and John Rutherford. 

The 11 Florida GOP lawmakers who have endorsed Trump joined the former president at dinner at Mar-a-Lago Thursday evening. 

Now, the majority of the 20 GOP members from the sunshine state have formally selected Trump over DeSantis. 

Only one Florida lawmaker, Rep. Laurel Lee, has stated support for DeSantis. Lee is serving her first term in Congress and worked as the Florida secretary of state under the DeSantis administration. 

DeSantis stopped by the Capitol this week to meet with lawmakers that he used to serve with in Congress and will also be speaking at the Heritage Foundation Leadership Summit Friday.

Additionally, Lance Gooden of Texas said earlier this week that he will support Trump despite having a 'positive' meeting with DeSantis in the Capitol.

'I met with Governor DeSantis,' Gooden said after his meeting with the governor Tuesday.

'And while he has done commendable work in Florida, there is no doubt in my mind that President Trump is the only leader who can save America from the leftist onslaught we are currently facing,' Gooden continued.

Trump, who announced his 2024 candidacy last November, so far has over 45 endorsements in the House and just under 10 in the Senate.

Trump announced his 2024 candidacy last November and has the backing of over 45 members of the House

The former president has started attacking DeSantis on social media, and his campaign arm put out a graphic ad last week poking fun at a report that the governor once used his fingers to spoon pudding into his mouth without a spoon.

Trump is set to speak at a campaign event in New Hampshire next week.

DeSantis recently visited New Hampshire and South Carolina, and his super PAC has reportedly made hires in several key presidential nominating states including South Carolina and Iowa.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has declared her candidacy and has also traveled to several early voting states in recent weeks.

Republican commentator Vivek Ramaswamy is also an official GOP contender.

Vice President Mike Pence has said that he plans to make an announcement on 2024 in the coming weeks.