What Happened to Ron DeSantis?
Ron DeSantis is an American Republican politician currently serving as the 46th Governor of Florida, a position he has held since 2019. After an unsuccessful bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, which he suspended in January 2024, DeSantis has continued his governorship, focusing on state legislative priorities as his term is set to conclude in January 2027 due to term limits. He remains a prominent figure in conservative politics, with speculation about his future political endeavors, including a potential 2028 presidential run or a role in a future Trump administration.
Quick Answer
Ron DeSantis is currently serving his second term as the Governor of Florida, which will conclude in January 2027 due to term limits. After suspending his 2024 presidential campaign in January 2024 and endorsing Donald Trump, he has focused on state governance, delivering his final State of the State address in January 2026 and signing new legislation. His approval ratings in Florida have remained around 50-52% in early 2026, and he has not ruled out a future presidential bid in 2028.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Jacksonville, Florida
Ronald Dion DeSantis was born in Jacksonville, Florida.
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
DeSantis was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida's 6th congressional district, serving from 2013 to 2018.
Elected Governor of Florida
DeSantis won the gubernatorial election, becoming the 46th Governor of Florida, a position he assumed on January 8, 2019.
Re-elected Governor of Florida
DeSantis secured a landslide re-election victory as Governor of Florida, defeating Democratic nominee Charlie Crist.
Announces Candidacy for 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
Ron DeSantis officially announced his bid for the Republican nomination for the 2024 United States presidential election.
Finishes Second in Iowa Caucuses
DeSantis placed a distant second in the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses, winning 21.23% of the vote, significantly behind Donald Trump.
Suspends Presidential Campaign and Endorses Trump
DeSantis suspended his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, stating there was no clear path to victory, and endorsed Donald Trump.
Begins Fundraising for Donald Trump
Following his withdrawal from the presidential race, DeSantis declared his intention to support Donald Trump's 2024 presidential bid by engaging in fundraising activities.
Unveils 2025-26 Budget Recommendations
Governor DeSantis unveiled his 'Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget' recommendations for 2025-26, emphasizing investments in fish and wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation.
Signs 2025-2026 Florida Budget
DeSantis signed the state's 2025-2026 budget, cutting approximately $500 million through line-item vetoes after a legislative standoff.
Delivers Final State of the State Address
As his term nears its end, Governor DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address, reflecting on accomplishments and outlining priorities for his last year in office, including property tax relief and AI regulations.
Does Not Rule Out 2028 Presidential Run
In an interview, DeSantis addressed the possibility of a second presidential bid in 2028, stating, 'You just got to see what happens.'
Signs More Bills from 2026 Legislative Session
DeSantis approved seven more bills, adding to new laws passed in the 2026 Legislative session, including measures related to farm equipment and development regulations.
Calls for Special Session on Congressional Redistricting
Governor DeSantis called for a special session to address congressional redistricting, scheduled to begin on April 20, 2026, to take advantage of expected guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Signs Education Package into Law
DeSantis signed an education package into law, which includes provisions for small private school zoning, installing presidential portraits in schools, and cursive writing testing requirements.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Ron DeSantis, born September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida, rose to national prominence as a conservative Republican politician. After serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018, he was elected Governor of Florida in 2018, winning re-election in a landslide in 2022. His governorship has been marked by a strong conservative agenda, including controversial policies on COVID-19, education reform (such as the Parental Rights in Education Act), and immigration.
DeSantis launched his much-anticipated campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on May 24, 2023. Initially seen as a strong contender and a potential alternative to Donald Trump, his campaign struggled to gain significant traction against the former president. Despite extensive campaigning and a focus on his Florida record, DeSantis consistently trailed Trump in polls. A key turning point was his distant second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses on January 15, 2024, where he lost to Trump by a 30-point margin.
On January 21, 2024, DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign, just days before the New Hampshire primary, and endorsed Donald Trump. He stated that he saw no clear path to victory and could not ask supporters to continue without one. Following his withdrawal, DeSantis began to actively fundraise for Trump's 2024 presidential bid, signaling a strategic alignment within the Republican Party.
As of April 2026, DeSantis continues to serve as Florida's Governor. His current term is set to end on January 5, 2027, as he is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. In January 2026, he delivered his final State of the State address, highlighting his administration's accomplishments and outlining priorities for his last year, including property tax relief and AI regulations. Recent polls in early 2026 indicate his approval rating among Florida voters remains around 50-52%, and he is generally more popular than Donald Trump within the state.
Looking ahead, DeSantis's political future beyond his governorship is a subject of considerable speculation. He has not ruled out a run for the presidency in 2028, and reports from April 2026 suggest he has expressed interest in various roles within a potential future Trump administration, including Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, or even a Supreme Court appointment. He continues to be an active figure in Florida politics, signing new legislation and addressing state issues, such as calling for a special session on congressional redistricting in April 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Ron DeSantis made different choices?