8 Republicans — including a surprise candidate — make Florida primary ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Eight Republicans vying for president could be on the Florida primary ballot in March, including one last-minute surprise candidate.

The Republican Party of Florida announced Wednesday the primary ballot lineup immediately after the party’s internal qualifying deadline had passed. They include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former President Donald Trump.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who abruptly ended his campaign this month, qualified for the Florida primary but is not expected to appear on the ballot, according to the Republican Party of Florida.

One surprise candidate who filed to be on the Florida ballot was Ryan Binkley, a Dallas, Tex., CEO and pastor who launched his long-shot bid for president earlier this year and has largely financed his campaign by himself. Federal campaign filings show that Binkley had spent more than $7 million on the race by the end of September.