Entering the 2024 Republican primary election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has far fewer endorsements under his belt than Donald Trump.

Now that the Florida governor is officially in the running for the Republican nomination for president, more lawmakers and key players could come out in support of DeSantis.

Just a month before launching his highly anticipated White House bid, DeSantis made a trip to Washington, D.C. for meetings on Capitol Hill where he hoped to gather more support ahead of filing paperwork to run for president.

It’s unclear whether the trip last month was fruitful.

So far, DeSantis has been able to accumulate just five endorsements from lawmakers in the House – where he once served before becoming Florida’s governor in 2018.

Seven of the 20 House lawmakers in Florida’s Republican delegation are already supporting Trump in his bid for a second, non-consecutive term. Only one, so far, has endorsed DeSantis.

There are 56 lawmakers in Congress endorsing Donald Trump, and only five backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis so far

There are 56 lawmakers in Congress endorsing Donald Trump, and only five backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis so far

There are 56 lawmakers in Congress endorsing Donald Trump, and only five backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis so far

DeSantis has officially entered the 2024 Republican primary race despite Trump's warnings and claims it would be 'disloyal.' Pictured: DeSantis and Trump shake hands at a rally in Florida on October 31, 2018 with Florida first lady Casey DeSantis standing by

DeSantis has officially entered the 2024 Republican primary race despite Trump's warnings and claims it would be 'disloyal.' Pictured: DeSantis and Trump shake hands at a rally in Florida on October 31, 2018 with Florida first lady Casey DeSantis standing by

DeSantis has officially entered the 2024 Republican primary race despite Trump’s warnings and claims it would be ‘disloyal.’ Pictured: DeSantis and Trump shake hands at a rally in Florida on October 31, 2018 with Florida first lady Casey DeSantis standing by

Florida had a previous law in place that prevents the states’ lawmakers from running for another office without resigning from their current post.

The Republican supermajority in the Florida legislature passed a law last month that nixed the precedent, paving the way for DeSantis to launch his presidential bid without being required to step down as governor of Florida. 

Before announcing his candidacy on Wednesday evening, DeSantis earned public backing from Reps. Chip Roy of Texas; Thomas Massie of Kentucky; Laurel Lee of Florida; Bob Good of Virginia; and, most recently on Tuesday, Rich McCormick of Georgia.

Clinching endorsements from lawmakers is important in primary elections because the leanings of individuals elected in their respective jurisdictions could highly influence the way their constituents cast their ballots next year.

In the Senate, former President Trump has nine Republicans backing his 2024 bid, while DeSantis has yet to earn any support in the upper chamber of Congress.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was the first to support Trump’s candidacy.

Other senators who followed Graham’s endorsement of Trump are Sens. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma; Eric Schmitt of Missouri; Tommy Tuberville of Alabama; J.D. Vance of Ohio; Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty both of Tennessee; Ted Budd of North Carolina; and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.

In the House, Trump has amassed 47 endorsements since he launched his bid for president in mid-November. 

Trump's endorsement of DeSantis in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary helped him clinch a win

Trump's endorsement of DeSantis in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary helped him clinch a win

Trump’s endorsement of DeSantis in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary helped him clinch a win 

Rep. Gooden of Texas is one of the most recent lawmakers to endorse Trump – doing so just moments after meeting with DeSantis in WAshington, D.C. last month.

Trump hosted Gooden and his family at Mar-a-Lago after his endorsement.

Gooden told DailyMail.com earlier this month regarding his decision to back Trump after his meeting with the Florida governor that while ‘DeSantis’s day may come, it is not today.’

The Texas lawmaker brought his wife Alexa and their two children Liam, five, and Milla, three, to meet with Trump at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate on May 9.

A person familiar with Gooden’s plans says that the congressman intends to serve as a strong voice in D.C. pushing for the reelection of Trump.

Other than Trump and DeSantis, there are a few other more long-shot Republicans vying for the nomination for president next year.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and current South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott are both running in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is also in the race.

Conservative media personality Larry Elder and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy are even further on the outskirts of the race.

Haley, who served as Trump’s Ambassador to the United Nations, has one backer – Rep. Ralph Norman of her home state of South Carolina. 

More Republican lawmakers, politicians and personalities are expected to enter the running in coming weeks and months and the primary race gets into full swing.

Most candidates outside of Trump and DeSantis, however, are struggling to earn double digit support in national and regional polling.

Rep. Lance Gooden brought his wife and two children to meet Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago Monday after the Texas Republican endorsed the former president after meeting with Ron DeSantis last month. Pictured L-R: Liam Gooden, 5; Rep. Lance Gooden; Trump, Milla Gooden, 3; Alexa Gooden

Rep. Lance Gooden brought his wife and two children to meet Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago Monday after the Texas Republican endorsed the former president after meeting with Ron DeSantis last month. Pictured L-R: Liam Gooden, 5; Rep. Lance Gooden; Trump, Milla Gooden, 3; Alexa Gooden

Rep. Lance Gooden brought his wife and two children to meet Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago Monday after the Texas Republican endorsed the former president after meeting with Ron DeSantis last month. Pictured L-R: Liam Gooden, 5; Rep. Lance Gooden; Trump, Milla Gooden, 3; Alexa Gooden

Outside of lawmakers, endorsements from other politicians and key players could affect the 2024 primary outcome.

Billionaire Republican donor Peter Thiel said he would support DeSantis if he makes it to the general election in 2024 – but has not yet weighed in on the primary election, and might not do so at all.

Thiel warned DeSantis not to lean too much into the fight against leftist ‘woke-ism,’ despite that being a cornerstone of DeSantis’ pre announcement strategy.

The Florida governor has been on a cross-national book tour over the last few months in the lead up to his announcement where he shared his Blueprint for America by promoting initiatives in his state.

People close to Thiel told Reuters last month that he was not planning to wade into the waters of the 2024 primary election.

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