Florida shuts down Trump allegation that DeSantis ran ‘shadow campaign’

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By Mary Kay Linen

April 29, 2023 | 6:42 p.m.

The state of Florida has ended former President Donald Trump’s accusation that Governor Ron DeSantis violated ethics rules by running an illegal “shadow presidential campaign.” Pool/AFP via Getty Images

The state of Florida has ended former President Donald Trump’s accusation that Governor Ron DeSantis violated ethics rules by running an illegal parallel presidential campaign.

On Friday, the Florida Ethics Commission dismissed the March filing by Make America Great Again Inc., a Trump-aligned super PAC, saying the document did not constitute a legally sufficient complaint, Fox News reported.

The MAGA Inc. complaint, filed by former Trump spokesperson Taylor Budovich, alleged that DeSantis was taking advantage of his elected office and violating his associated duties in a coordinated effort to build his national profile, enrich himself as well as its political allies and influence the national electorate.

Budovich’s 15-page letter, which called the governor a de facto presidential candidate, accused him of breaking a slew of state laws and circumventing federal campaign finance laws as he carried out a multi-state book tour while allowing pro-DeSantis super PACs to boost his profile through ads and influencer efforts.

But the nine-member commission found that MAGA Inc. presented no evidence that DeSantis illegally coordinated with the super PACS, and did not identify any specific gifts or illegal payments he received.

The nine-member commission found that MAGA Inc. presented no evidence that DeSantis was illegally coordinating with the super PACS.REUTERS

The complaint does not indicate that [DeSantis] solicited or agreed to anything knowing it would influence an official decision associated with his or her public service, the ethics committee said in a 12-page report.

Budowich blasted the dismissal of the councils.

It’s no surprise that another armed state entity controlled by DeSantis is ignoring the facts and the law to protect the governor, he told Fox News.

The MAGA, Inc. filing was one of the first major jabs taken by Trump and his supporters against DeSantis, a once-close political ally who is now emerging as the former president’s top Republican rival.

An NBC survey found last week that 46% of GOP primary voters favor Trump as their top pick, with 31% choosing DeSantis putting both men far ahead of the rest of the GOP field.

But a recent poll showed DeSantis isn’t Trump beating President Joe Biden in a potential matchup in 2024.

DeSantis is expected to enter the Republican presidential race in May, after Florida’s legislative session ends this week.

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