Republicans are crediting Governor Ron DeSantis with maintaining Florida's Republican stronghold, fueling discussions about his potential 2028 presidential candidacy. The Sunshine State's performance contrasted sharply with a broader Republican decline across the country in the recent midterm elections.
DeSantis characterized the national results as "as close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country as we’ve seen probably in the last 100 years." This statement came after Democrats achieved significant gains, flipping numerous House seats, several Senate seats, and governorships, even in areas previously considered Republican strongholds.
In Florida, however, Republicans retained control, with GOP Rep. Byron Donalds winning the gubernatorial race to succeed DeSantis, and Senator Ashley Moody securing re-election. DeSantis highlighted that Florida was the only one of the ten largest states to remain under Republican control, attributing this to "a record of achievement" and earned voter trust.
His leadership in Florida has drawn praise from conservatives, with some expressing hope for a future presidential run. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) called DeSantis "one of the best governors in American history" and "the biggest winner" of the midterms, indicating her support for his potential presidential aspirations. Similarly, James Fishback, who lost to Donalds in the gubernatorial primaries, stated that "the only reason Florida didn’t fall is because of Ron DeSantis."
An insider within the Florida GOP suggested that DeSantis is "already running for president" and that "everything he’s doing is setting himself for that." Despite this, the source speculated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio might have an advantage in a 2028 presidential contest due to his perceived favorable personality and international experience.
Following the midterms, DeSantis's odds on the online predictions market platform Kalshi for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination increased to 19%, a 14% rise in 24 hours.
Vice President JD Vance attributed the Republican losses to the war in Iran, suggesting that while "our voters showed up," many voted for Democrats. Vance warned against what he termed "gaslighting" by establishment politicians, particularly concerning amnesty.
Senator Ted Cruz, who has expressed interest in the presidency, has positioned himself as an alternative to Vance, emphasizing a desire for a thorough discussion among Republican voters about the party's direction before selecting a successor to Donald Trump. Cruz stated in August that he would "certainly be part of the discussion."