Faced with the upcoming 2024 Republican primary election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina will compete head-to-head for the Republican nomination.
Following his 30-percentage point loss to Trump in the Iowa primaries, DeSantis pulled his name from the race. The state’s support would have been key to continuing his campaign.
According to AdImpact, an ad tracking firm, $41.4 million was allocated to DeSantis’ television advertising this cycle, some of which was spent on states that will vote after the suspension of his campaign.
“I would do it, but I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don’t have a clear path to victory,” DeSantis said in a video posted to X.
Despite ongoing conflict during the time of his campaign that launched in May 2023, he endorsed Trump, the race’s current front-runner.
“Trump is superior to the current incumbent Joe Biden,” he said. “I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honor that pledge.”
DeSantis was expected to arrive in New Hampshire Sunday for a campaign event but didn’t make an appearance.
With three years remaining of his term as Florida governor, DeSantis indicated that the beginning of a campaign for the 2028 presidential election may be on the horizon.
Students for DeSantis UF, an Instagram account for UF student supporters of his presidential run, posted a statement in response to the announcement of his campaign suspension, instead shifting the focus of its support to Trump.
“Thank you for everything Ron! It is time to support the Republican Nominee,” the account wrote.
Contact Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp at rdigiacomo-rapp@alligator.org. Follow her on X @rylan_digirapp.
Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp is a third year journalism and environmental science major and the Fall 2024 Enterprise Environmental Reporter. Outside of the newsroom, you can usually find her haunting local music venues.
