Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis makes stop in Coronado for event

SAN DIEGO — Florida Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is visiting Coronado Sunday for a Veterans appreciation event.

The gathering is at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2422 on Orange Avenue.

DeSantis’ visit comes ahead of the second Republican presidential debate on Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Several campaigns have said they’ve satisfied the marks to participate in Wednesday’s debate, including DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Vice President Mike Pence. Former President Donald Trump missed the first debate and plans to meet with current and former union workers in Michigan instead of attending the second debate. The attendance of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, both of whom participated in the first debate, is uncertain for the second.

The GOP, however, has yet to confirm the qualified participants for the second debate.

This week, a CNN/University of New Hampshire poll showed the Florida governor dropped 13 points in the critical early state, trailing candidates Ramaswamy, Haley and Christie. 

A stellar performance from DeSantis in Wednesday’s debate could give him the boost he needs in the polls.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.