DeSantis endorses Haridopolos in Republican primary for Congress in Brevard, Indian River

Gov. Ron DeSantis has endorsed former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos of Indian Harbour Beach in a local three-candidate Republican primary for Congress, calling Haridopolos "a proven conservative leader."

Haridopolos is running against corporate attorney Joe Babits of Indian River Shores and business executive John Hearton of Satellite Beach in the Aug. 20 GOP primary in House District 8.

The governor's support adds to a long list of endorsements for Haridopolis, headlined by one from former President Donald Trump, the GOP candidate for president in 2024.

Everything about local elections: Here's your ultimate voter guide to 2024 elections, candidates, issues in Brevard County

The winner of the Republican congressional primary will face the winner of a Democratic primary between attorney Sandy Kennedy and West Melbourne City Council member Daniel McDow in the Nov. 5 general election.

Eight-term incumbent Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, is not seeking reelection, and has endorsed Haridopolos for the seat.

House District 8 includes all of Brevard and Indian River counties, plus part of eastern Orange County.

In his endorsement, DeSantis said, “I am happy to endorse Mike Haridopolos for Florida’s 8th Congressional District. Mike is a proven conservative leader who served as Senate president here in Florida. Mike has pledged to secure the border, end inflation, get government spending under control, and support our military and veterans. I’m excited to see Mike’s continued success in Congress for the Space Coast.”

In response to the endorsement, Haridopolos said: “Gov. DeSantis has been a monumental leader for the state of Florida. I am deeply honored and grateful to have his endorsement."

If elected, Haridpolos said he would "work with Gov. DeSantis to protect Floridians from illegal immigration, restore our economy, and get government out of our lives."

Haridopolos is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives (2000 to 2003) and Florida Senate (2003 to 2012). He served as Senate president from 2010 to 2012.

After leaving office in 2012, Haridopolos has owned and operated MJH Consulting, a business and political consulting company.

Among Haridopolos' previous endorsements were from U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer; House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik; Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey; plus more than 30 other locally elected officials in Brevard and in Indian River counties.

Members of Congress have a two-year term, and an annual salary of $174,000.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at [email protected], on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Haridopolos gets DeSantis endorsement in Republican primary for Congress