[News Figures] DeSantis Emerges as the Republican 'Trump Alternative'

Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, appeared with his wife at a rally held in Tampa on the 8th (local time) after successfully winning re-election in the midterm elections, delivering a speech to his supporters. Photo by AP Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, USA, is gaining attention as a rising Republican presidential candidate. In the recent midterm election, he won 59.4%, defeating the Democratic candidate and former governor Charlie Crist (40.0%) by a wide margin of 19.4 percentage points. He is rapidly establishing himself as an alternative figure to former President Donald Trump, who is embroiled in various allegations and legal risks.

Republican Struggles Amidst Governor’s Re-election Success

DeSantis’s landslide victory contrasted with the Republican Party’s overall struggles in this election. Contrary to expectations of a Republican landslide, the so-called 'Red Wave,' the Democrats achieved an 'unexpected strong performance.' In this context, foreign media are focusing on DeSantis’s victory. The New York Times (NYT) reported, "DeSantis has solidified Republican control in Florida, once a top battleground state, and cemented his reputation as a presidential contender," while The Washington Post (WP) commented, "The Republican presidential primary has begun with DeSantis’s victory."

DeSantis has not yet announced his intention to run for president. However, in political circles, the media, and the business world, DeSantis is being mentioned as a 'Trump alternative,' and his candidacy is becoming a foregone conclusion. There has even been a public declaration of support for Governor DeSantis. Ken Griffin, CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, which supports the Republican Party financially, recently stated in a media interview that he would 'support Governor DeSantis in the 2024 presidential election.' He also donated $5 million (approximately 7 billion KRW) to DeSantis during the midterms. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, also mentioned DeSantis on his Twitter as a 'person he would like to vote for in the next presidential election.'

'From Little Trump to Trump Alternative'

DeSantis, an Italian-American, was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1978. He majored in history at Yale University and graduated from Harvard Law School. He then served as a naval officer, worked as a prosecutor, and entered politics after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. In 2018, he became the youngest governor of Florida.

The reason DeSantis, with a relatively short political career, won the 2018 election was due to the full support of then-President Trump. During his campaign, DeSantis echoed Trump’s presidential slogan "Make America Great Again," appealing for support and earning the nickname 'Little Trump.'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump. [Image source=Yonhap News]

DeSantis became firmly imprinted in voters’ minds during the COVID-19 pandemic by opposing the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates and mask requirements. He emphasized that mask-wearing is a personal choice, banned mandatory mask-wearing in schools, and eased regulations by normalizing classes and dining operations. In March, he passed a law banning education on sexual orientation and gender identity, including homosexuality, for kindergarten and lower elementary students (third grade and below), gaining support from conservatives.

While taking a hardline conservative stance, DeSantis is seen as having a 'less inflammatory' and more rational image compared to former President Trump, making him the 'new face' of the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich, a senior Republican and former House Speaker, appeared on Fox News on the 9th (local time) and analyzed, "Everyone in the Republican Party who wants to move beyond Trump will rally around Governor DeSantis."

As DeSantis asserts himself as a leading presidential candidate, there are forecasts that Trump’s influence within the Republican Party will gradually diminish. Internally, there is already a 'Trump responsibility theory' regarding the poor midterm election results. Trump, who aimed to make a comeback through this election, has started to check DeSantis. In a recent media interview, Trump said, "I don’t know if he will run (in the 2024 presidential election). If he does, he could get hurt very badly."