DeSantis Doesn’t Rule Out Another White House Run, Faces Uphill Battle in 2028
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has left the door open to a future presidential bid, despite a disappointing finish in the 2024 Republican primaries. During a recent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, DeSantis responded to a question about another run with a noncommittal, “We’ll see.” The full interview is set to air Tuesday.
The 47-year-old Republican is currently serving his final term as governor, which concludes in January 2027 – a year before the 2028 presidential primary season begins. In 2024, DeSantis was widely considered a leading alternative to former President Donald Trump, but he suspended his campaign after a distant second-place showing in the Iowa caucuses.
DeSantis has suggested that the presence of Trump in the race significantly impacted his chances. He claimed on Hannity’s podcast that, without Trump as a competitor, he would have secured approximately 90% of the former president’s supporters, characterizing them as conservative voters who ultimately preferred his platform. “They didn’t want the non-conservative – they wanted me,” DeSantis said.
However, current polling data paints a challenging picture for DeSantis heading into a potential 2028 campaign. A recent Echelon Insights survey shows him trailing significantly behind Vice President JD Vance, who garnered 40% support among likely GOP primary voters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed with 16%, while DeSantis registered a mere 5%, behind even Donald Trump Jr. at 9%.
A Saint Anselm College Survey Center poll of New Hampshire voters mirrored these results, placing DeSantis at 5% support, tied with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Vance led in New Hampshire with 46%, followed by Rubio at 27%.
These numbers represent a stark contrast to the expectations surrounding DeSantis prior to the 2024 primaries. While he positioned himself as a strong conservative voice, he ultimately failed to resonate with enough voters to overcome Trump’s enduring popularity. The governor’s future political ambitions remain uncertain, but his recent comments indicate he is not yet ready to dismiss a second attempt at the White House.
