A few observers are suggesting that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) should pass on a bruising 2024 face-off with former President Donald Trump and contemplate alternatives.
One possible alternative some have floated is the Senate, according to Politico's Florida Playbook. DeSantis is term-limited as governor of the Sunshine State and will therefore be compelled to leave the governor's mansion by 2027. This means he will likely need to find another gig to fill in the gap if he were to hold off until the 2028 cycle to run for president.
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Back in 2016, DeSantis briefly ran for Senate before dropping out when Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) jumped back into the contest following his unsuccessful presidential run. Should he pursue a seat in the upper chamber, DeSantis would likely have to square off with Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who is seeking reelection in 2024.
Scott preceded DeSantis as governor and has a nine-figure estimated net worth, with a history of tapping into that financial arsenal when needed. DeSantis has shown no inclination to vie for the upper chamber and has been nudged by some Republicans to steer clear of Trump.
“DeSantis doesn’t need to [run]. I envision him as our president someday, but not right now. Everybody I speak with in Florida love[s] him. And he does set the tone for, I'd say, every other governor in the nation," Sarah Palin told Newsmax last month. "I think he's our best governor. And he should stay governor for a bit longer."
But DeSantis has seemingly been unswayed. He is widely regarded as Trump's top GOP primary foe in a deluge of polls. In primary state polls, DeSantis is potentially even more formidable, topping Trump 45% to 37% in Iowa and tying with him in New Hampshire at 39%, according to a recent Public Opinion Strategies survey.
Those polls featured head-to-head matchups. DeSantis trails Trump in New Hampshire and ties him in Iowa when other candidates are added to the mix. Trump has a 15.1 percentage point edge over DeSantis, per the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
DeSantis has teased that a 2024 decision will likely come at some point after the Florida state legislature wraps up its business in May. The first GOP primary debate is slated for August in Wisconsin.
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Ahead of their speculated collision course, Trump has pummeled DeSantis with a barrage of fiery tirades. In the face of those onslaughts, DeSantis has largely refrained from getting ensnared in a back-and-forth, though recently he appeared to dial up the rhetoric a little against Trump.
“I'm a loyalist and when a man comes to me [with] tears in his eyes, he's had almost nothing in the polls,” Trump told rallygoers in Waco, Texas, over the weekend, referring to DeSantis, claiming he begged for his backing. "'Sir, if you'll endorse me I'll win, please, please sir, endorse me.'"