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Ron DeSantis, the former governor of Florida, made headlines on Sunday, the 21st, when he announced his decision to withdraw from the race for president and instead throw his support behind former President Donald Trump. This move came after a disappointing loss in the Iowa caucuses, where DeSantis finished a staggering 30 points behind Trump.
Despite the setback, many Republicans still saw DeSantis as their best chance to challenge Trump in the 2020 Republican primary. His relatively under-the-radar re-election as Florida governor in 2022 had bolstered support for him within the party.
In a video released on X (previously Twitter), DeSantis cited the lack of a clear path to victory as the reason for his decision to suspend his campaign. He expressed gratitude towards his supporters but acknowledged that it would be unfair to ask them to volunteer their time and resources in a futile effort.
It is evident that the majority of Republican primary voters are in favor of giving Donald Trump a second chance. They have witnessed Democrats relentlessly attacking him, as well as his administration facing unyielding opposition. Despite their disagreements on certain issues, such as the handling of the coronavirus epidemic and Trump’s treatment of Anthony Fauci, DeSantis still believes that Trump is a better choice than the incumbent, Joe Biden.
In an interview on Fox News, Trump reciprocated DeSantis’ support, expressing his gratitude and calling it a “very honored” gesture. He emphasized his eagerness to work alongside DeSantis in defeating Joe Biden, whom he deemed the “worst and most corrupt president in our country’s history.”
During his video announcement, DeSantis mentioned Nikki Haley, a former US ambassador to the UN, as another Republican primary opponent. He reaffirmed his promise to support the eventual Republican candidate, stating that Haley’s policies represented a repackaged form of corporatism that deviated from traditional Republican practices.
Haley, now Trump’s primary Republican opponent, acknowledged DeSantis’ departure during a campaign rally in New Hampshire, praising his performance in the race. She noted that while DeSantis would no longer be a contender, she remained focused on the goal of securing victory for the Republican Party.
At the age of 45, DeSantis has dedicated a significant portion of his career to government and public service. Even as a law student at Harvard, he received a commission as a Navy commander. Following that, he briefly served as an assistant US attorney in Florida before being elected to the state’s House of Representatives in 2012.
In 2018, DeSantis sought the Republican candidacy for governor of Florida, despite being relatively unknown in political circles. He ran a campaign centered around his unwavering support for then-President Trump, showcasing his allegiance in campaign commercials and rallies. Ultimately, DeSantis emerged as the victorious candidate in a closely contested race.
However, the tables have now turned, with DeSantis finding himself on the opposite side of his former boss and fellow Republican contender for the presidency. Trump has claimed victory over DeSantis and accused him of betrayal for daring to challenge his authority.
Undeterred by these setbacks, DeSantis won re-election as Florida governor by a comfortable margin of over 20% in 2022.
As the dust settles on his presidential aspirations, DeSantis will continue to focus on serving the people of Florida while maintaining an influential position within the Republican Party. His political journey may have taken a detour, but his dedication to public service remains unwavering. Time will tell what lies ahead for this ambitious and resilient politician.
