Ron DeSantis Continues To Heat Up The 2024 Race

In 2018, according to Politico, Republican Ron DeSantis won the governor's race by .4% over the Democratic challenger, or about 30,000 votes. DeSantis was previously a three-term Florida congressman. As governor, he has made a name for himself as a champion for Republican talking points, including opposing critical race theory; per a press release from his office, he's introduced the "Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (W.O.K.E.) Act." He also made national news when he signed the "Parental Rights in Education" bill, which has been dubbed by some the "Don't Say Gay" bill, via NPR. The prominent Republican politician was endorsed as the Republican nominee for governor by then-President Donald Trump, and DeSantis was an avid supporter of Trump during the 2020 presidential election, per The Washington Post.

The two are also considered top potential presidential candidates, per The Hill. Trump has hinted at recent rallies that he might be prepping for a 2024 run for president, according to Newsweek. DeSantis hasn't said that he plans to run for president in the next election cycle, telling NBC Miami that he had enough work to do in Florida to consider a presidential run. But with recent fundraising numbers, DeSantis is showing he could be a contender.

In 2021, Florida governor Ron DeSantis raised over $100 million through donations for the 2022 election, according to Ballotpedia. The staggering amount is likely the most that any governor candidate has been able to raise in a year via donation; others have raised big dollar amounts but with self-funding, according to Herald-Tribune. That much cash via donation proves that DeSantis is definitely a heavy hitter in the Republican political arena with a lot of support, via CNN. The money has come from across the United States, from small amounts up to $5 million from a hedge fund founder, per NBC News.

With such fundraising prowess, other potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates are sure to take notice, including Donald Trump. When asked about DeSantis recently, Trump told The Washington Post that DeSantis's popularity was because of his endorsement and that he doubted that DeSantis would run against him if Trump chose a 2024 presidential bid. He also noted that he has "a good relationship" with DeSantis.

It will be interesting to see if that good relationship continues, as there are some behind the scenes hints that Trump and DeSantis don't care for each other, via The Hill. And if DeSantis does decide to run against Trump, we're sure to be in for some excitement.