Once considered Trump’s top rival, Florida governor suspends campaign

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially ended his bid for the presidency, marking a significant turn of events just days before the New Hampshire primary. Initially viewed as a formidable opponent to Donald Trump in the Republican primaries, DeSantis faced challenges that ultimately led to the suspension of his campaign.

DeSantis, who previously garnered attention for his conservative stance on issues like abortion and educational curriculum, announced his withdrawal through a video posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. In the video, he reflected on his campaign, expressing concerns about government spending and emphasizing the need to protect “America’s children from being indoctrinated.”

The decision to exit the race comes after DeSantis placed third in the Iowa caucus, losing to Nikki Haley, and faced a trailing position in New Hampshire polls behind Haley. Notably, DeSantis skipped campaigning in New Hampshire, choosing to focus on South Carolina.

Campaign finance records revealed significant efforts against DeSantis, with MAGA Inc. spending over $23 million on advertisements targeting him. The super PAC supporting Nikki Haley also invested heavily in defeating DeSantis in Iowa.

In a strategic move, DeSantis decided to back out of New Hampshire, while Trump and Haley engaged in numerous rallies and campaign events to secure dominance in the state. Despite the efforts and financial support channeled into South Carolina, key politicians in the state had already pledged their support to Trump well before the primary vote.

Leaders like McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, representing South Carolina, joined Trump at a rally in New Hampshire over the weekend. Senator Tim Scott, another influential figure from South Carolina, backed Trump at a separate event in New Hampshire.

DeSantis, once considered Trump’s most significant challenger, faced a barrage of attacks labeled ‘DeSanctimonious,’ a term coined by opponents that seemed to impact his political standing. Despite a political fortune of over $100 million amassed by DeSantis and his supporters, Trump’s campaign and the nickname appeared to have a notable effect on DeSantis’s once-intimidating political career.

With DeSantis officially out of the race, Trump strengthens his position as a dominant figure in the Republican primaries, making headway toward securing the party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential election.