Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is conserving his choices open for an additional presidential run, in response to two folks aware of his pondering, after the governor mentioned Florida fended off a blue wave on this yr’s midterm elections.
However the sources confused that DeSantis continues to be watching the political surroundings to see whether or not he’ll carry out nicely, whether or not there’s a lane for him to interrupt by, and whether or not he has one thing to supply the Republican Get together and the nation.
ABC Information has reached out to DeSantis’ workplace for touch upon his plans.
FILE – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks earlier than a roundtable dialogue on faculty sports activities within the East Room of the White Home in Washington, March 6, 2026.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Picture
Within the days main as much as and after the midterms, DeSantis has ramped up his media appearances, reflecting on what went improper for the Republican Get together on this yr’s cycle.
The day after the midterm elections, DeSantis held a press convention the place he described Tuesday’s elections as a “meteor strike,” arguing that even a “wave” fails to seize the size of the Republican losses.
“Final evening, we witnessed, to name it a wave, I do not assume could be totally correct. It is the political equal of a meteor strike that went throughout the US, blue states, pink states, all the things in between, and the one state that was in a position to maintain the road and stand up to that’s proper right here within the free state of Florida,” DeSantis mentioned Wednesday in Florida throughout a press convention.
DeSantis didn’t mince his phrases concerning the midterm election outcomes for Republicans throughout the nation, calling it “near an extinction-level occasion” for the celebration.
President Donald Trump listens as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at Southwest Florida Worldwide Airport in Fort Myers, Fla.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP Picture
DeSantis provided his evaluation of what went improper for Republicans, together with what he mentioned was an absence of optimistic messages from candidates to run on and messaging that did not land with voters.
Previous to the midterm elections, DeSantis mentioned in an interview that Republicans have been “gaslighting” voters on fuel costs, which have been impacted by the Iran conflict.
“A few of these Republicans are saying, ‘Oh, nicely, the fuel don’t be concerned, you understand, it is no huge deal.’ Like they’re making an attempt in charge Biden for it. No, no, hear, we simply obtained to be trustworthy. Fuel is larger; it hurts folks, working-class folks, and it is larger due to this battle. That is only a truth. If you cannot admit that to voters, you then’re gaslighting them, they usually’re not going to hearken to you on different issues,” DeSantis mentioned in an interview with Stephen A. Smith that aired on Monday.
Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks throughout a marketing campaign occasion at Hudson’s Smokehouse BBQ, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Lexington, S.C.
Sean Rayford/AP
DeSantis mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2024, working in opposition to President Donald Trump and in the end dropping out of the race proper earlier than the New Hampshire major. He additionally completed a distant second behind Trump within the Iowa caucuses.
DeSantis’ 2024 marketing campaign was marred by political infighting that drew nationwide consideration and was difficult by overspending regardless of receiving immense donor help.
DeSantis has additionally taken classes from his presidential marketing campaign, together with the necessity to do extra media and that he can’t wait too lengthy to enter the presidential race, an individual aware of DeSantis pondering instructed ABC Information.
DeSantis’ time period as Florida governor ends in January.
