To phrase it differently: There is zero chance the Rs win without Trump. I say this as a DeSantis fan. No candidate besides Trump will get as many votes as Trump did in 2020. Not even close.
I disagree. Independents and women ran from Trump and Trump-endorsed candidates in 2020 and 2022. DeSantis, or perhaps Scott, can bring them back. No one who did not vote for Trump in 2020 will ever vote for him again. Their mind is made on Trump.