Ron DeSantis Gears up for 2028 Presidential Run

The worst-kept secret in Florida politics is that Governor Ron DeSantis is running for President of the United States in 2028. It's happening, and we don't think the governor himself cares what people think about his chances of winning the Republican presidential nomination.

Since losing to President Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary election, where he was beaten in the Iowa Caucuses by 20 percentage points, Gov. DeSantis has been telling donors of his intentions to run in 2028, and has been fundraising for his "Restor Our Nation"  or RON PAC.

The RON PAC is a catchy acronym for the presumptive 2028 presidential slogan. Did DeSantis take a page out of the Make America Great Again or "MAGA" slogan President Trump coined years ago? Probably.

Gov. DeSantis recently held another RON PAC fundraiser on Palm Beach Island, just blocks away from Mar-A-Lago. This was a smart move, considering the amount of campaign cash that comes out of this money-saturated enclave.

According to the latest Federal Election Commission (FEC) fundraising filings, RON PAC has raised $1,927,005.24 in the 2025-2926 cycle, with most of it coming in Q4 of 2025. DeSantis is raising swaths of campaign cash from several of Florida's largest companies, and why not? He has to use the remaining months of his final term in office to raise as much money as possible.

In total, RON PAC has $5,699,699.34 cash on hand, with most of that money being held over from his 2024 presidential run.

So, when will DeSantis announce he is running for president in 2028?

No one really knows, but Conservative journalist Laura Loomer is saying that one of her sources has told her that DeSantis will announced is presidential run on June 11th at the Filmore Hotel on Miami Beach.

Announcing a presidential run before the 2026 midterm elections could be a little early, but stranger things have happened in American politics.

But...

While DeSantis continues to pump up his presidential warchest, could a 2028 presidential run be another fool's errand for arguably America's best governor?

The Rebranding of Ron DeSantis

Loomer asserts that DeSantis is trying to rebrand himself and come off as more likeable than he has been in the past. Loomer is not wrong, but DeSantis will have a heavy lift if, when he makes the push to coalesce a team of elected officials to back his presidential campaign.

DeSantis biggest issue has been that he has stepped on many of his political friends and current state and federal lawmakers from his own state. The Republican-led State Legislature is all but completely against him, and many them, including lobbyists, press relations operatives from around the state, have told The Floridian that DeSantis couldn't leave the governor's mansion fast enough.

Also, DeSantis's poor treatment of the Florida Republican congressional delegation will be a problem for him. The delegation is looking forward to backing anyone but DeSantis in 2028.

No bueno. (Spanglish for 'not good')

Senator Rick Scott is probably one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. For Sen. Scott to really dislike DeSantis says it all. Even Secretary of State Rubio appears to have reservations about DeSantis, but won't vocalize those reservations. Secretary Rubio doesn't have to.

One of DeSantis' biggest obstacle in 2028, if he runs, will be facing off against Vice President JD Vance, who currently holds a commanding 45.5% lead in latest Real Clear Politics average of polls. DeSantis is currently a distant 4th with 7.5% support.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Bilingual and Charismatic Threat

Speaking of  Secretary Rubio. The biggest challenge DeSantis could face in 2028 is if Secretary Rubio decides to jump into the race.

Yes, we know. Secretary Rubio has said that he will not run against Vice President Vance.

Again, we are talking about American politics, and anything is possible.

While Vance is doing his thing as vice president and raising money, and recently took a trip to Des Moines, Iowa, Secretary Rubio doesn't appear as if he can do anything wrong in President Trump's eyes.

In the RCP average of polls, Rubio has 14% support.

Look, Rubio is eyeing 2028, make no mistake about it. If the opportunity to run for president presents itself, Rubio will take it. Rubio has been eyeing the presidency ever since losing to Trump in 2016.

What makes Rubio a big threat to DeSantis?

Well, the guy is naturally likeable. Some who know him will tell you that he is a cornball who thinks he is funny and is a practical joker, which bolsters his jovial demeanor.

Rubio has an uncanny ability to speak off the cuff and express his thoughts in very Reagan-esque and inspirational viral video moments. DeSantis does not.

Also, Rubio is enjoying all the free earned media he receives on a daily basis. Forget the fact that he is showcasing his foreign policy and presidential bona fides on the world stage; all of those hilarious  "finding out he will be..." job memes on social media have introduced him to a new, younger faction of the American electorate.

Let's not forget him moonlighting as a DJ and his rap music prowess. Most voters can easily relate to Rubio. Now, does Rubio have a spot on Tony 'Scarface' Montana impersonation?

We cannot confirm nor deny this rumor.

In addition, in Iowa, no one in the Republican field will be able to out-Jesus or win over that state's Christian vote.

Everyone knows Rubio knows scripture. For God's sake, the man used to hold weekly Bible study lessons at his house, and would go to church just about every Wednesday morning when he was in the U.S. Senate.

In speaking with no fewer than 6 members of the Republican congressional delegation, all of those we spoke with will back a Rubio presidential run.

Vance is the heir apparent of the MAGA movement, but if independent polls (they are coming) show Rubio rising and Vance dropping, all bets are off that Vance wins the nomination.

In the case that Vance does become the Republican presidential nominee, there is a very good chance that he picks Rubio as his running mate. Vance will not be Rubio's running mate if Rubio wins the nomination.