(The hill) – Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Thursday endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, contradicting an earlier promise to stay out of the race and turning against his state’s governor, Ron DeSantis ( R).

“I am optimistic that we can return America to its rightful position of economic and military strength and the undisputed moral leader of the free world, but only with strong leadership in the White House,” Scott said in an interview Newsweek’s commentary was published Thursday.

“That’s why I support my friend President Donald J. Trump to become the 47th President of the United States and encourage every Republican to unite behind his efforts to win back the White House,” he continued.

Scott, then governor of Florida, supported Trump in the 2016 election, and Trump returned the favor for Scott’s candidacy in the 2018 Senate race.

“It is time for the Republican Party to come together, rally behind one candidate and declare with one voice that we are united in our efforts to defeat Joe Biden and save America,” Scott said in the statement Thursday .

Scott’s endorsement continues a trend of Florida politicians publicly supporting Trump and opposing DeSantis, who is seen as Trump’s strongest challenger.

Trump has a significant lead in national and state polls over DeSantis, who is now battling a challenge from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for second place behind Trump.

A majority of Florida’s 20 Republican congressmen have supported Trumpwhile the state’s other senator — Sen. Marco Rubio (R) — remained silent on the race.

The latest high-profile Trump support was Florida state Rep. Randy Fine (R), who previously served as a senior DeSantis aide. Fine, who is Jewish, called DeSantis weak on Jewish issues despite years of appeasing statements.

Although Scott was not expected to support DeSantis in the presidential election, there were disputes between the two about politics for years And personal relationships – He had previously promised to keep his powder dry in the race.

A Survey in July gave Trump a 20-point lead over DeSantis in Florida and a recently released poll from Pennsylvania put Trump’s lead at 41 points about the governor.

“I know most of the candidates running for president and I respect their decision to go through this very difficult process,” Scott said in the op-ed. “Make no mistake: every single one of them would be a better president than Joe Biden.”

“But Republican voters are making their voices heard loud and clear,” he continued. “They want to return to Donald Trump’s leadership.”