DeSantis woos Republicans looking to move from Trump

Florida Governor and former president on collision course for GOP nomination race

Governor Ron DeSantis has portrayed his record in Florida as a blueprint for the US as some Republicans see him as an alternative to Donald Trump.

In a speech on Saturday night, he told a group of donors and activists "we've got a lot more to do, and I have only begun to fight".

Mr DeSantis did not mention the 2024 presidential race he is widely expected to enter while speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Las Vegas.

But he detailed the extent of his landslide re-election victory on Nov 8 and his record that includes fighting coronavirus restrictions and so-called "woke" ideology.

"When you stand up for what's right, when you show people you're willing to fight for them, they will walk over broken glass barefoot to come vote for you," Mr DeSantis said, drawing a standing ovation. "You can be strong, you can get things done, and you can attract a huge, huge coalition." 

Mr Trump and Mr DeSantis are on a collision course for the Republican nomination race, and both spoke at the coalition's annual meeting along with other potential presidential candidates from the party. It was billed as an early 2024 event.

Mr Trump, who launched his 2024 candidacy on Nov 15, went first with an address via video link that also drew a standing ovation, saying that the GOP is "a much bigger, more powerful party than it was before I got there".