- DeSantis aides have called Florida lawmakers to try stop them endorsing Trump, NBC News reported.
- They asked lawmakers to delay endorsements, after four state lawmakers backed Trump.
Aides to Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis have been calling other lawmakers in the state to try and stop them endorsing former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidency, NBC News reported.
DeSantis' team have contacted at least six members of Florida's congressional delegation, sources close to four of those members told NBC News.
The team made the calls after four delegates publicly endorsed Trump's 2024 bid, asking the six members not to make any endorsements over the coming period.
DeSantis, who is yet to announce his candidacy, has so far received no endorsements from the state's delegation, NBC News noted.
DeSantis is viewed as the main challenger for Trump, but recent polls show Trump with a strong lead for the upcoming Republican primary elections.
The two men have been publicly feuding for months, despite once being close.
Trump has taken credit for DeSantis becoming Florida's governor in 2019, saying that without his endorsement DeSantis would be "probably working either at a cigar store or a law firm."
The former president has also accused DeSantis of "simple-minded thinking," and has tried to force DeSantis to resign, accusing him of using his governor's salary to fund unofficial campaign travels.
The six members contacted by DeSantis' aides were Reps. Aaron Bean, Vern Buchanan, Kat Cammack, Mario Diaz-Balart, Laurel Lee and Greg Steube, according to NBC News.
Sources told Time that Cammack, Buchanan, and Steube plan to endorse Trump. It's not clear if the DeSantis call will change their minds, or cause them to delay any endorsements.
The four members who have already endorsed Trump are Reps. Cory Mills, Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, and Anna Paulina Luna.
Donalds' endorsement of Trump was seen as particularly shocking as he and DeSantis have long been close.
Mills said his endorsement was influenced by Trump being arraigned in New York, which many Republicans have said was politically motivated.
A GOP consultant for one of the members, who was contacted by DeSantis aides, told NBC News that "there is clearly some angst from the DeSantis camp that so many members of the state's congressional delegation are throwing their support behind Trump.
"Gaetz going with Trump is one thing, but Byron's endorsement of the former president undoubtedly rattled some cages," they said.
Insider has contacted DeSantis' office for comment.