Officials in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration have been sending text messages to lobbyists requesting political contributions for DeSantis’ presidential campaign, a breach of traditional norms that has raised ethical and legal questions. NBC News reviewed text messages from four DeSantis administration officials, including those directly in the governor’s office and with leadership positions in state agencies. They requested the recipient of the message contribute to the governor’s campaign through a specific link that appeared to track who is giving as part of a “bundle” program. The legality of the solicitations depends on a series of factors, including whether they were sent on state-owned phones or property.
As seen on NBC News, officials working for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration have been sending text messages to Florida lobbyists soliciting political contributions for DeSantis’ presidential bid. This breach of traditional norms has raised ethical and legal questions, leaving many in the state capital shocked.
NBC News reviewed text messages from four DeSantis administration officials, including those directly in the governor’s office and with leadership positions in state agencies. They requested the recipient of the message contribute to the governor’s campaign through a specific link that appeared to track who is giving as part of a “bundle” program.
“The bottom line is that the administration appears to be keeping tabs on who is giving, and are doing it using state staff,” a third longtime Florida lobbyist said. “You are in a prisoner’s dilemma. They are going to remain in power, we all understand that.”
DeSantis’ office did not return a request seeking comment. Generally, political staffers are charged with raising money for political campaigns, and aides on the official side are walled off from those operations.
The legality of the solicitations depends on a series of factors, including whether they were sent on state-owned phones, or if they were sent on state property. A longtime Florida election law attorney said that even if the DeSantis aides are fundraising for the campaign in their personal capacity, off the government clock, it still raised ethical questions.
“At a minimum, even if they are sitting in their home at 9 p.m. using their personal phone and contacting lobbyists that they somehow magically met in their personal capacity and not through their role in the governor’s office, it still smells yucky,” the attorney said. “There’s a misuse of public position issue here that is obvious to anyone paying attention.”
But the practice was still jaw-dropping for those who have long been involved in Florida politics. NBC News spoke with 10 Republican lobbyists in Florida, all of whom said they couldn’t remember being solicited for donations so overtly by administration officials — especially at a time when the governor still has to act on the state budget.
That process involves DeSantis using his line-item veto pen to slash spending from the budget passed by the state legislature, and he could use that power to punish lobbyists who don’t contribute, said the third lobbyist.
The situation has raised concerns about the influence of money in politics and the role of lobbyists in the political process. Some worry that the solicitation of political contributions from lobbyists by government officials could lead to a quid pro quo relationship, where lobbyists are given preferential treatment in exchange for their donations.
This is not the first time DeSantis has faced criticism for his fundraising practices. In 2019, he was accused of accepting a $50,000 donation from a South Florida businessman who was later indicted on charges of fraud and money laundering.
The incident also highlights the need for stricter campaign finance laws and greater transparency in the political process. Many believe that the influence of money in politics is one of the biggest threats to democracy, and that steps must be taken to ensure that the political process is fair and equitable for all.
In the meantime, the situation in Florida continues to raise ethical and legal questions, leaving many wondering what the future holds for the state and its political system.
