Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty
Florida Republican governor Ron DeSantis glided to re-election Tuesday, further fueling expectations that he will soon turn his attention to an eventual run for president in 2024.
DeSantis beat what Democrats considered a safe but boring bet: Charlie Crist, a household name in Florida, where the politician has spent decades bouncing between parties and high profile offices—from Republican attorney general and governor to Democratic congressman.
Crist was outspent, outrecruited, and outmatched. Although Crist came out on top during the race’s single televised debate last month, DeSantis raised over $200 million—which several journalists have pointed out is more than any gubernatorial candidate in American history. Unspent funds position him to immediately start gunning for the White House.