MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) forthcoming address at the largest annual New Hampshire GOP fundraising gala is already proving to be a bonanza, according to a top party official.
Without divulging specifics, New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Chris Ager teased that fundraising for the Amos Tuck Dinner event Friday has been “unusually successful” amid anticipation over DeSantis. Heading into his speech, many of the Florida governor’s rivals have gained ground in the key early state, setting high stakes for him.
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“This is an extremely successful fundraiser,” Ager told the Washington Examiner. “It’s record-breaking. … I can’t tell you the number.”
DeSantis was announced as the headline speaker last month, giving time for anticipation to mount. The dinner is named after Amos Tuck, an attorney and member of Congress in the 1800s who many believe founded the Republican Party in Exeter, New Hampshire, during the 1850s.
Ager dismissed reports of lackluster ticket sales as “totally fake news.”
“From the beginning, we had planned for 500 [people],” Ager said, noting that ticket sales stopped this week. “We squeezed into two more tables. … It’s been at least 10 years since we’ve had a dinner event that big.”
DeSantis has crisscrossed the country, delivering speeches in key states such as Iowa, Michigan, and, most recently, Ohio on Thursday, where he was set to be a special guest at the Butler County GOP Lincoln Day dinner. But before the Amos dinner, New Hampshire did not appear to be on his itinerary, at least for public events.
Already, potential rivals such as former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina GOP Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have swung through the Granite State. Even undeclared potential aspirants like former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) have done so.
Polls have shown DeSantis’s chief rival, former President Donald Trump, gaining traction amid a boost from his indictment. Last week, a St. Anselm College Survey Center poll pegged Trump handily topping DeSantis 42% to 29% in New Hampshire.
Given its status as the first state with a formal primary election following the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire voters have extensive experience sizing up candidates. DeSantis has been widely considered the most viable alternative for Republican voters disillusioned with Trump.
“He has enacted policies in Florida that many people in New Hampshire applaud. And he’s been a very successful governor of a large state. And so that could give you an indication of his potential success running the country,” Ager said. “People like to hear from him directly without the filter.”
“There’s high anticipation from our activist base to hear directly from the governor. And we were very pleased that he accepted our invitation,” Ager added.
Florida’s “resign or run” law has hampered an early DeSantis campaign launch, though many expect it to be repealed or revised by the legislature in the coming weeks. This would pave the way for DeSantis to run for president if he chooses.
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Furthermore, the governor is interested in achieving as many legislative victories as possible to fulfill his reelection campaign promises and bolster his resume for a 2024 run. At some point after the state legislative session wraps up in May, DeSantis is expected to make his 2024 intentions known.
Following his New Hampshire stop, DeSantis will head to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a public event on April 19. He also has additional trips scheduled to other key states over the coming weeks. DeSantis will also make an international trip to Israel.
