Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is officially exiting the presidential race, having fallen short of surpassing Donald Trump in both polls and early 2024 votes.
DeSantis Exits
His withdrawal, announced in a brief video on Sunday just before the New Hampshire primary, leaves the race primarily between Trump and his ex-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Unclear Path
“We don’t have a clear path to victory,” DeSantis said in the Florida-filmed video which he posted in a Sunday X (formerly Twitter) post.
Race Tightens
With DeSantis stepping down, the race now boils down to a head-to-head between Trump and Nikki Haley. In Iowa, where DeSantis came in second with 21%, Haley finished third, far behind Trump’s 51%.
DeSantis’ Nod to Trump
Despite previous criticisms, DeSantis surprisingly endorsed Trump on Sunday. “It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” he acknowledged.
Trump Over Biden
“While I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, such as on the coronavirus pandemic and his elevation of [COVID-19 adviser] Anthony Fauci, Trump is superior to the current incumbent, Joe Biden. That is clear,” DeSantis continued.
“I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honor that pledge.”
Trump Reacts
Loud cheers greeted Mr. Trump’s first remarks about Mr. DeSantis’s exit and endorsement at a New Hampshire event on Sunday. Later, at a rally, Trump lauded DeSantis as a ‘really terrific person’ who ‘ran a really good campaign’.
Early Hopes Dashed
Starting in 2024 as a weak challenger to Trump, DeSantis was seen at the beginning of 2023 as the most probable Republican alternative for the presidential nomination. His resounding reelection victory as Florida’s governor in 2022, winning big in a swing state, had significantly raised his profile.
Florida Under DeSantis
DeSantis prided himself on conservative achievements in Florida, including a strong GOP showing in local elections, in contrast to Trump-backed candidates’ struggles elsewhere.
Past Policies
DeSantis’ notable actions involve standing firm on issues like restricting abortion, defying federal COVID-19 guidelines, and opposing LGBTQ-related education in public schools.
‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law
DeSantis’ support for the Parental Rights in Education Act, heavily criticized by LGBTQ advocates and labeled as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law by critics—a term its supporters deny—bolstered his reputation as a staunch Republican.
Disney Dispute
This move, however, led to a prolonged conflict with The Walt Disney Company, a major employer in Florida (and owner of ABC News). Disney’s lawsuit accuses DeSantis and allies of retaliating after it opposed the Act.
DeSantis, denying any political payback, claims Florida has ‘basically moved on.’
What’s Next?
The future of 45-year-old DeSantis, who is at the end of his gubernatorial term in Florida, is now uncertain. He was expected to be a strong contender against Trump, who frequently targeted him with attacks on the campaign trail, social media, and through advertisements.
Where DeSantis Fell Short
Despite this, some of DeSantis’ setbacks seemed self-inflicted. He broke from conventional campaign announcements by declaring his presidential run on X in a problematic chat with Elon Musk.
The Downfall of Campaign
This unconventional start, coupled with difficulties in establishing a personal rapport with voters and handling the intense scrutiny of a presidential campaign, may have contributed to his struggles, ultimately forcing him to quit the presidential race.
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