Published on January 22, 2024, 2:11 am

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has decided to suspend his 2024 presidential run, following a second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. The governor expressed that despite his team putting in their utmost efforts and him considering every conceivable plan for a favorable outcome, such as more campaign stops and increased interviews, there was no clear path to victory. Instead of continuing in an uncertain race, Governor DeSantis felt he couldn’t request his supporters’ continuous contributions of time and resources.

Post his suspension announcement, DeSantis endorsed former President Donald Trump for the Republican primary. In providing this endorsement, he pointed out that most Republican primary voters wish to give Trump another opportunity. He believes these individuals have observed Trump’s presidency get hamstrung due to constant resistance and perceive Democrats’ ongoing legal disputes targeted towards him.

Although DeSantis has had disagreements with Trump on several fronts such as handling of the Coronavirus pandemic and promoting Anthony Fauci, he asserts that Trump is more efficient than the current incumbent President Joe Biden. As per his words, this clarity led him to stand by a pledge he signed previously—supporting the Republican candidate nomiated—and he plans on honoring it.

In addition spiritedly standing behind Trump’s candidacy, DeSantis starkly contrasts him with Nikki Haley -the erstwhile South Carolina Governor-, who is also the remaining top challenger for the prior President at present. For Desantis, endorsing trump represents a refusal to return back to the conventional Republican structure of days past which Nikki Haley symbolizes.

As preliminary results showcased after the Iowa caucuses, Trump emerged victorious with 51% vote share while DeSantis fell short at 21% share followed by Haley slightly behind at 19%. After these results were revealed Vivek Ramaswamy—a distantly fourth-placed contestant with near 8% votes—also decided to exit from race and added his endorsement for Trump.

It must be noted that DeSantis had invested heavily into his Iowa campaign, visiting as many as all 99 counties in the state and engaging deeply with its residents. After this announcement New Hampshire remains largely in focus for future campaigns with Trump leading the RealClearPolitics polling on average.

Despite being rival candidates, as DeSantis announced dropping out Haley lauded him for having run a fantastic campaign and led an efficient governance. However she also took the opportunity to take a jab at Trump calling him “more of the same”.

An important factor going forward are various legal claims against Trump besides attempts of disqualification in ballots. As general election polls suggest a narrow lead for Trump over Biden, it’s pertinent to note it is the Electoral College which ultimately has final say in determining presidential races.

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