Media networks predict that one of the first winners of the midterm elections will be Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is a potential candidate for the presidency in 2024.
ABC and CNN have predicted that the 44-year-old DeSantis will defeat his Democratic opponent Charlie Crist and go on to serve as governor of Florida for a second term.
DeSantis has risen among the conservative political right of late, until he was seen as a potential serious competitor for former President Donald Trump for the Republican Party nomination in the 2024 presidential election, according to AFP.
DeSantis has gained national attention for his opposition to draconian measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 and has also led criticism of growing tolerance for gay rights.
Earlier this year, Florida’s governor also signed into law a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, joining a nationwide campaign by conservatives to limit abortion rights.
In another move in line with conservative policies, DeSantis sent dozens of illegal immigrants to the affluent Martha’s Vineyard resort in Massachusetts, prompting Republicans to file a lawsuit against him.
Although DeSantis did not announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, he left his options open by refusing to commit to completing his second term as governor.
Christos, 66, was the governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 for the Republican Party, but later switched to the Democratic Party and won elections to the House of Representatives from that party before resigning and running for state governor.
