DeSantis team welcomes contrast with Trump ‘chaos’ candidacy

James McKee is at the end of a queue that winds across five aisles of fiction at the capital city of Florida’s Books-A-Million.

In a few minutes, the book he is holding will be autographed by Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor whom McKee believes should be the next president of the United States. But, as a former Donald Trump supporter, the 44-year-old attorney from Tallahassee practically whispers when he first says it aloud.

“Personally, I would prefer to see DeSantis win the Republican primary over Trump,” McKee adds gently, repeating himself to be heard. His voice soon gets louder.

“Trump has angered so many people,” adds McKee. “DeSantis is more appetizing. He has an interesting tale to share.”

Indeed, talks in Tallahassee’s book stores, conference rooms, state house offices, and sports bars suggest that DeSantis’ supporters are growing confidence as Trump’s legal issues increase. The former president may be indicted in New York for his alleged role in a hush-money plan during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep porn actress Stormy Daniels from disclosing an illicit sexual encounter. He denies any involvement.

Even as an unexpected coalition of establishment-oriented Republican leaders and Make America Great Again activists voice worries about the Florida governor’s fitness for the national stage, excitement surrounds DeSantis. As he constructs his political organization and promotes himself to voters in critical primary states, DeSantis has at times struggled under the weight of increased national scrutiny.