With Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) heading back to Florida to finish his term as governor, questions arise surrounding what happens next. Governor DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign and quickly endorsed President Donald Trump (R), but what will the dynamic be between the rivals? Republicans argue that DeSantis stepping down is a win heading into election season, warning that it will fast-forward the “extinction” of Florida's Democratic Party.
Governor DeSantis shocked supporters over the weekend by releasing a video wherein he announced that he would be suspending his presidential campaign. Despite months of engaging in heated exchanges with President Trump, Governor DeSantis endorsed him, arguing that a second time in the White House would be far better than what President Joe Biden (D) or Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) can provide.
Republicans like Florida Rep. Alex Rizo (R), who campaigned heavily for Governor DeSantis in Iowa, commented that Republican voters were initially enthusiastic about Governor DeSantis running, but it quickly devolved to them wanting “a second bite at the apple” of a Trump presidency. In turn, Rep. Rizo and others believe that Governor DeSantis has a much better chance at the White House in 2028.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried (D) responded to Governor DeSantis’ decision by calling his campaign a “dead, rotten carcass on the side of the road,” which are the same words Governor DeSantis had used to describe the Florida Democratic Party. However, Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power (R) responded to her words through X, slamming the Democrats for spending “hours celebrating” and adding that “3 more years of Ron DeSantis’ leadership here will just speed up their extinction.”
It appears that the @FlaDems have spent hours celebrating
I don’t think they realize that 3 more years of @RonDeSantis’s leadership here will just speed up their extinction
Be careful what you wish for
— Evan Power (@EvanPower) January 22, 2024
Republican lawmakers are also celebrating that, during election season, Florida Republicans will not be forced to fight against each other over who they're endorsing. Florida Rep. Randy Fine (R), who went from supporting Governor DeSantis to supporting President Trump, said that Governor DeSantis has saved Republicans “untold months and untold millions wasting our time shooting each other.”
There is still no word on whether or not Governor DeSantis will campaign alongside President Trump.
