Why it matters: DeSantis, a potential 2024 GOP nominee, has faced a series of attacks recently from Trump, who launched his own 2024 campaign Tuesday night. What he said: At a news conference Wednesday, DeSantis tried to calm the waters on the 2024 election cycle, saying his eyes are on the Georgia runoff, “which is very important for Republicans to win.”
He said his re-election in Florida “was the biggest bright spot — it wasn’t as bright in a lot of other parts of the country. It was a substandard performance given the dynamics that are there.” “The good thing about getting a big win is that we have supermajorities in the Legislature now and we really, I think, have an opportunity to continue the great momentum,” DeSantis said.
Context: DeSantis’ stock has risen since his landslide victory over Democrat Charlie Crist during the midterms, which showed he has the potential to run for president, Axios’ Zachary Basu writes.
But his rise comes as Trump has prepared his own candidacy. The former president has launched repeated attacks and rants against DeSandis, calling him “mediocre” and “desperate” and even giving him the nickname “Ron DeSandimonius.” The Florida governor responded to the repeated boos, saying, “At the end of the day, I would tell people to go check the scoreboard” from the intermission, WTSP reports.
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