Gov. Ron DeSantis has cast his endorsement in the Florida House of Representatives District 19 election, opting for Sam Greco over his GOP primary opponent Darryl Boyer. The winner of the Greco/Boyer matchup will go on to face Democrat Adam Morley in the general election.
Having the endorsement of DeSantis, a galvanizing if unapologetically controversial Florida governor, on his side, Greco builds on a growing lead in outside backing for his race against Boyer. Greco has over $197k in his campaign finance account as reported to the state government, compared to Boyer's present bank of a little over $63k.
DeSantis' pick is the highest-profile endorsement obtained by Greco thus far in the race. The governor reasoned Greco's military experience, comparable to his own, helped fuel his decision. "I’m happy to endorse Sam Greco for the Florida House of Representatives,” DeSantis said. “As a former Navy JAG Officer, I know Sam’s experience also serving in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps means he's ready to serve District 19 and all of Florida with distinction. He will be a trusted fighter for the conservative values that we champion - lower taxes, law and order and families first."
"I’m incredibly grateful to receive Governor DeSantis's endorsement," Greco said in response to DeSantis' endorsement. "Governor DeSantis's leadership and unwavering commitment to our conservative values has made Florida the freest state in the nation and my mission is to go to Tallahassee and help continue advancing a conservative agenda. I am grateful for his support and look forward to working together to advance our shared vision for Florida’s future."
Along with Greco, DeSantis also cast endorsements for Republican candidates Erika Booth and Nick Primrose in their campaigns for districts 35 and 18 respectively. The addition of DeSantis' endorsement will likely have the strongest impact in the areas of HD-19 outside of Flagler County; Boyer has enjoyed an enthusiastic and resilient base of support in his home county. Greco, a resident of St. Augustine, has waged a tough campaign against Boyer, a former staffer of House Speaker Paul Renner.
Other major endorsements of Greco's include politicians such as Renner himself, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), 7th Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Florida Speaker Pro Tempore Chuck Clemons, plus organizations such as the Florida Professional Firefighters, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the Florida Police Benevolent Association.
Boyer, meanwhile, has amassed an array of endorsements of his own, many of them Flagler-based. Endorsements in Boyer's camp include former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Trump associate Andrew Giuliani (son of Rudy), Flagler County Commissioners Leann Pennington and Greg Hansen, Palm Coast City Council members Theresa Carli Pontieri and Cathy Heighter, Flagler Beach City Commissioners Scott Spradley and James Sherman, and ex-Clerk of Courts Gail Wadsworth.
