Former DeSantis Donor Ken Griffin Opts Not to Participate in GOP Presidential Primary, 2023.
Billionaire Ken Griffin, the CEO of Citadel and a well-known Republican donor, has declared his intention to remain on the sidelines during the GOP presidential primary.
This decision is a surprising shift, given that Griffin had previously backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022. Griffin’s reluctance to support DeSantis or any other candidate is influenced by his dissatisfaction with the alternatives to frontrunner Donald Trump.
In an interview with CNBC’s Sara Eisen, scheduled to air at 8:00 p.m. ET, Griffin explained his stance: “So we’re now through the first debate. And I’ll tell you what, I’m still on the sidelines as to who to support in this election cycle. I’m still on the sidelines.
If I had my dream, we’d have a great Republican candidate in the primary who was younger, of a different generation, with a different tone for America. And we’d have a younger person on the Democratic side in the primary who would have his message for our country. And we’d debate ideas, principles, and policies to make this a great nation. We’re not having that dialogue right now.”
Griffin’s decision to remain neutral carries significant weight in Republican politics due to his substantial financial resources. With an estimated net worth of $35 billion, he has historically been one of the party’s most generous contributors. During the 2022 midterms, Griffin contributed over $100 million to a mix of state and federal candidates, with most of his donations going to Republicans.
Donald Trump maintains a substantial lead in the GOP primary field, with the latest Quinnipiac poll indicating a lead of at least 50 percentage points over other contenders.
In a statement to CNBC, Griffin explained his approach: “As the presidential campaigns unfold, I am assessing how each candidate’s policies will address the challenges facing our country.
I care deeply about individual rights and freedom, economic policies encouraging prosperity and upward mobility, all children having access to a high-quality education, ensuring our communities are safe, and a strong national defence.”
Notably, Griffin’s change in stance towards Governor Ron DeSantis is evident. Griffin had previously supported DeSantis during his 2022 reelection campaign and even expressed his belief that “our country would be well-served by him as president” before DeSantis officially announced his 2024 presidential campaign.
However, Griffin now questions DeSantis’s campaign strategy, stating, “I don’t know his strategy. It’s unclear to me what voter base he intends to appeal to.” The latest Quinnipiac poll shows DeSantis with 12% of support in the Republican primary, trailing far behind Trump’s commanding 62% support.
Griffin also disapproved of DeSantis’s ongoing feud with Disney, describing it as “pointless” and detrimental to Florida’s reputation. The dispute between DeSantis and Disney began when the company voiced its opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which restricts instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in public schools.
In response to Disney’s stance, DeSantis and his allies targeted the special tax district that had granted Disney the authority to effectively self-govern its Orlando-area theme parks for many years. This conflict has escalated into a legal battle, further complicating DeSantis’s image.
In summary, Ken Griffin’s decision to abstain from supporting a candidate in the GOP presidential primary, including former ally Ron DeSantis, reflects his dissatisfaction with the current field of candidates and a desire for a more robust and substantive debate on important issues facing the nation.
His financial influence and political involvement make his neutrality notable in the upcoming election. Additionally, Griffin’s criticism of DeSantis’s campaign strategy and his disapproval of the ongoing Disney feud shed light on some challenges and dynamics within the Republican Party as it prepares for the 2024 presidential race.
