InsideSource’s NH Journal reports that a Republican in the New Hampshire legislature, who enjoys massive influence in the state that holds the First In The Nation GOP primary, has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president in 2024.

New Hampshire House Majority Leader Rep. Jason Osborne released a letter endorsing DeSantis on Thursday. As NH Journal writes, this “comes a week after former President Donald Trump released a list of 51 members of the House GOP caucus endorsing his candidacy. Many of those members joined Trump for a campaign appearance in downtown Manchester.”

Osborne writes:

As the 2024 presidential primary begins in New Hampshire, Republicans are looking for a strong, capable challenger for Joe Biden who can win and lead our country forward. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is emerging as a top contender, and for good reason. With his drive, energy, and proven record of success, I believe DeSantis is exactly the leader America needs today. […]

DeSantis has also proven his ability to unite and appeal to a broad spectrum of his constituents. He took office by a narrow margin and then secured re-election by the largest margin in fifty years, also extending his coattails down the ballot resulting in a supermajority legislature. He even flipped dark blue Miami-Dade County. This is a testament to his popularity and effectiveness as a leader. DeSantis is a man who knows how to win, and he can help Republicans win in 2024.

The endorsement continues:

His leadership and record of success in Florida can serve as a model for how Republicans can win back suburban voters across the country. With DeSantis at the helm, the Republican Party can become a true coalition of working-class Americans and suburban voters. To win in 2024, Republicans need such a leader for New Hampshire and for America to rally behind.

Osborne addresses the way DeSantis handled the Florida economy in the face of “Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID mandates,” and other states imposing “strick lockdowns” during the pandemic:

During the COVID pandemic, Governor DeSantis showed strong leadership and pushed back against Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID mandates. While other states shut down businesses and imposed strict lockdowns, DeSantis kept Florida open and helped the state’s economy thrive. Florida was one of the first states to reopen businesses and grow its economy, and DeSantis was at the forefront of this effort.

He also brings up DeSantis’ championing of school choice, and battling against the push for radical transgender ideology being taught in schools and “the sexualizing of children” being pushed across the country:

….Governor DeSantis has been a strong advocate for parents’ rights over the education of their children. He was the first governor to stop the sexualizing of children by transgender activists that has been occurring in other states. DeSantis has also demonstrated his commitment to education freedom, expanding school choice regardless of economic circumstances and making it a reality for ALL students.

Osborne insists that “it’s time for” Gov. DeSantis to enter the presidential primary field:

While it may still be early, other candidates have already been on the ground for a while. It’s time for Governor DeSantis to get into this race and start earning Granite Staters’ support.

Earlier on Saturday, my colleague Mike Miller shared a full list of DeSantis’ and the Florida legislature’s laundry list of conservative accomplishments during the session that just ended Friday.

NH Journal’s piece includes news on former Pres. Trump’s next appearance in the Granite State, which comes next week as part of a CNN town hall:

Recent polls have consistently shown Trump enjoying a lead among Granite State GOP primary voters, and the former president has stepped up his focus on the First in the Nation primary. He will participate in a CNN-hosted town hall at St. Anselm College next Wednesday.