Huge DeSantis win shows presidential punch

Axios ^ | November 9, 2022 | Zachary Basu

[Timber Rattler]

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' resounding victory over Democrat Charlie Crist — fueled by the strongest GOP showing in Miami-Dade County in two decades — has cemented his position as a 2024 presidential contender.

Why it matters: The big, broad win is a massive show of force against former President Trump, whose blessing propelled DeSantis to office. DeSantis is the first GOP governor to win Miami-Dade County, a Democratic stronghold, since Jeb Bush's re-election in 2002. He did so by double digits.

"Never seen a race that big in my history of working in Florida politics. That's an absolute bloodbath," a Florida-based Democratic consultant told Axios' Alexi McCammond.

(snip)

The big picture: DeSantis' 2024 stock has steadily risen over the past year, even as Trump has grown more serious about his presidential plans — now believed to be imminent — to declare a formal comeback bid.

DeSantis' campaign and aligned political committee raised an astonishing $200 million for his re-election, with $90 million left burning a hole in the bank as the term-limited governor contemplates his next move. GOP megadonor Ken Griffin told Politico this week he would back DeSantis in 2024, saying "it's time to move on to the next generation."

[Valin]

Never Trumper don’t bother me. Ever Trump Do.