Popular Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), whose clout has steadily grown on the national political stage, was forced to cancel a Sunday appearance at a pricey fundraiser for New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin on Long Island, due to an “unforeseen tragedy,” according to a rep for Zeldin.

DeSantis was slated to appear at a $25,000-a-plate gathering in Oyster Bay.

Zeldin spokeswoman Katie Vincentz declined to elaborate while telling the New York Post:

An unforeseen tragedy forced Governor DeSantis to reschedule his trip to New York. While we’re rescheduling with Governor DeSantis for a later date, tonight’s fundraiser will proceed and is expected to raise almost a million dollars.

As the Post noted, Zeldin has been hoping to add some national firepower to his campaign, as he squares off against New York’s unelected governor, Kathy Hochul, who took up residence in the New York State Executive Mansion after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s luck ran out and he was forced to resign in disgrace.

Hochul being Hochul, she pulled an incredibly boneheaded move — reminiscent of Hillary Clinton calling half of America a “basket of deplorables” — last week, telling New York Republicans to leave the state because “they’re not New Yorkers.”

Jump on a bus and head down to Florida where you belong.

Sounds like a very pleasant person, huh? Not unlike President “Unity” and his unhinged rants against the Donald Trump and the MAGA crowd.

‘GET OUTTA TOWN’: Gov. Kathy Hochul tells Republicans to pack their bags and leave her state because ‘they’re not New Yorkers.’ pic.twitter.com/87bV4SJUib

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 29, 2022

Imagine the fun that straight-talking DeSantis would’ve had with that one if he had been able to speak at Zeldin’s fundraiser. Something tells me he’ll more than respond the next time he’s in town.

Even more ammunition for DeSantis against the embattled New York governor: Hochul fired an unprovoked shot at the Florida governor during a recent event commemorating the Holocaust, while joking about New York Jews leaving the Empire State for Florida — always a ‘brilliant” political tactic.

I just want to say to the 1.77 million Jews who call New York home: Thank you for calling New York home. Don’t go anywhere or to another state. Florida is overrated. I shouldn’t say this but look at the governor. It starts at the top down.

“Getting in trouble – gotta stay on script,” Hochul quickly added, as she was forced to quickly segue her introduction of Holocaust survivor Celia Kener at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan.

As of this article, the DeSantis camp had not commented on the nature of the “unforeseen tragedy.” Desantis faces a re-election bid against Democrat Charlie Crist, who sold his soul to the Devil, years ago.

Crist: "Those who support DeSantis should stay with him and vote for him and I don't want your vote. If you have that hate in your heart, keep it there." pic.twitter.com/S0B93bw52i

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 24, 2022

DeSantis has been stumping for Republican candidates in several states in a bid to bolster the GOP’s national standing which, contrary to conventional “wisdom” on the “R” side, is in need of bolstering.

This is the part where I say 2024 is going to be for all the marbles, Republicans; don’t screw it up.