DeSantis gains momentum as 2024 campaign launch nears.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis worked more closely with Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-American businessman accused of funneling Russian money into American political campaigns, than he has previously disclosed, according to a detailed account of their relationship provided by Parnas and 63 previously unreported text messages from DeSantis to Parnas between May and October 2018. The texts show DeSantis frequently appealed to Parnas for introductions, advice, and fundraising help during his campaign for governor, and Parnas served as an intermediary between DeSantis and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who was then the personal attorney of former President Donald Trump.