Trump Planning New Endorsement
President Donald Trump is expected to play a decisive role in another closely watched Republican primary, as signs point to a forthcoming endorsement of Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power in the state’s open 2nd Congressional District.
Sources familiar with discussions inside Republican political circles in Florida say President Trump has taken a strong personal interest in the race and has spoken positively about Power’s leadership and organizational skills. Insiders say the president was particularly impressed by how quickly Power consolidated support from local Republican leaders once the congressional seat became available.
The race opened earlier this month after five-term Republican Rep. Neal Dunn announced he would not seek reelection, bringing an end to his 10-year tenure representing the solidly conservative North Florida district.
Following Dunn’s announcement, Power, 44, promptly entered the race and rapidly emerged as the leading Republican contender. He secured backing from party officials across the district, along with endorsements from three county sheriffs and seven Republican members of Congress from Florida. The early show of unity has positioned Power as a front-runner well ahead of the primary.
When asked about reports that President Trump may soon endorse him, Power declined to comment directly. However, he acknowledged that Trump’s endorsement remains the most influential seal of approval in modern Republican primaries.
President Trump continues to enjoy strong support in Florida’s 2nd District, carrying the area by approximately 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The district includes large rural and small-town communities where conservative voters have consistently backed Trump’s America First agenda.
“The more rural the district, the stronger President Trump’s support tends to be,” Power said.
A longtime supporter of Trump, Power also praised the president’s recent foreign policy actions, including a decisive U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro. Power said the move demonstrated strong leadership and could have broader implications for weakening hostile regimes abroad.
He suggested the action could influence political developments in Cuba, Iran, and even Eastern Europe, calling it a potential turning point for advancing freedom and stability on the global stage.
Most other Republican officeholders who were previously mentioned as possible candidates for the 2nd Congressional District have chosen not to enter the race. The filing deadline is set for June, with the Republican primary scheduled for August 18.
Given the district’s strong Republican voting history, the winner of the GOP primary is widely expected to claim victory in the general election, making the primary contest effectively decisive.
