DeSantis faces setbacks and criticism in early campaign efforts.

Top advisers to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told donors that he has a clear path to defeat former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary, and that Florida would emerge as a key state that could help to determine the outcome of the nomination contest. They argued that Trump’s current polling lead was being inflated by sympathy from Republican voters over his indictment in New York and would diminish over time. The DeSantis team also highlighted the governor’s fundraising strength, with a super PAC supporting his candidacy already boasting raising some $30 million.