Former Republican presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson threw his support to U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in the Senate.
Carson moved to the Sunshine State after ending his celebrated medical career at Johns Hopkins. There had been some buzz that Carson was looking at running for the Senate in Florida and there had been reports that Republicans in Washington, D.C. were encouraging him to get in the race. With Democrats looking to flip the Senate in November, there path to the majority becomes a lot easier if they pick up the seat in an open race.
Instead, Carson endorsed DeSantis on Thursday, stressing the congressman’s experience and conservatism.
“I am pleased to endorse Ron DeSantis for U.S. Senate,” Carson announced. “Ron is a thoughtful man of strong character and faith who has served our country in the military and who is dedicated to restoring America’s founding principles.
“In the Senate he will fight for the Constitution and for a strong national defense,” Carson added. “He knows we must repeal Obamacare, protect life and defend religious freedom. Floridians don’t need to guess if Ron DeSantis will fight to change Washington – all you have to do is look at his proven conservative record. I urge all of my supporters in Florida to do everything they can to elect him. Ron DeSantis has my vote.”
“It’s an honor to receive the support of Dr. Carson, who has inspired millions of Americans with his incomparable life story and hopeful vision for America's future,” DeSantis said. “Dr. Carson has been a clear and consistent voice regarding the need to repeal Obamacare and restore the Constitution. Dr. Carson's support will magnify the fact that I'm the only candidate in this race with a proven record of standing up to the permanent political class in Washington. In Congress, I declined a pension, fought for term limits, and rejected special treatment for members of Congress under Obamacare. In the Senate, I’ll continue to fight to make sure Washington lives under the same rules as everybody else."
Carson had moved to the head of the presidential pack but faded at the end of 2015. After getting out of the race, he endorsed businessman Donald Trump for the Republican nomination.
DeSantis faces businessman Carlos Beruff, U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and businessman and Army veteran Todd Wilcox in August’s primary.
