Not all of the midterm results are in yet, but Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appears to have seen his opening. People briefed on his intentions say the Republican is considering a 2028 presidential campaign centered on the fact that his state’s Republican Party has largely escaped this week’s Democratic wave, according to the Washington Post reports. His federal super PAC has started fundraising again, and DeSantis has contacted at least one national strategist about a campaign. One reason for an opening is the perception that Vice President JD Vance’s presidential chances took a major hit in the midterms.
DeSantis, who called the midterm results “close to an extinction-level event for Republicans,” is presenting himself as an alternative to Trumpism after voters largely rejected Republican candidates and President Trump’s agenda. The governor can learn from his failure in 2024, in which he waited to get started, was overwhelmed, and was defined early by Trump’s team. It is not yet known whether its donors will recommit, according to the Job. His term as governor ends in January, according to CBS News. “The fact that Florida’s walls haven’t been broken by the blue wave gives DeSantis more credibility than almost anyone in the early days of the 2028 primary,” said Dan Eberhart, a longtime Republican donor who served as a surrogate to DeSantis’ 2024 campaign.
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