DeSantis Is Done
DeSantis Unexpectedly Pulls out of the Election Early on
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. On Sunday Jan. 21, right before the New Hampshire Republican primary election, DeSantis pulled out of the election and stated his endorsement for his rival candidate, former president, Donald Trump. The Florida governor previously was viewed as Trump's biggest challenger, making his suspension from the race even more shocking. This news leaves former president Donald Trump and former U.N. ambassador and S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley as the biggest Republican Primary candidates.
DeSantis pulled out of the election after the Iowa Caucus results. Trump had a 30-point win that beat Bob Doyle’s 13 percentage-point record from the Iowa Caucus back in 1988. Trump ended up with 51% of the vote, DeSantis with 21% and Haley with 19%. Based on these results, Trump won by a significant amount, leaving DeSantis in second place and Haley in third place. Trump's win of Iowa set him closest to becoming the GOP presidential candidate and posed a threat to DeSantis and Haley.
The results of the Iowa Caucus only reflected the views of one state, so Haley and DeSantis did not visibly show that they felt threatened or were planning on backing down. However, DeSantis’s withdrawal announcement shows otherwise.
“I am today suspending my campaign,” DeSantis said. “Trump is superior to the current incumbent, Joe Biden. That is clear. I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee, and I will honor that pledge. He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear.”
To no doubt, many people were shocked by his announcement.
“I think it was a little unexpected because I really didn't think that would happen,” junior Bella Evans said. “I think a lot of people were upset because he has a lot of die-hard fans.”
Trump, who has previously mocked DeSantis, responded to his withdrawal with much gratitude and a celebration.
“I just want to thank Ron and congratulate him on doing a very good job,” Trump said. “He was very gracious, and he endorsed me. I appreciate that, and I also look forward to working with Ron.”
DeSantis’s endorsement has created more support for Trump, making him more likely to become the Republican presidential candidate.
“It makes it more clear that Trump is more likely to win the Republican primary,” junior Sebastian Aleksander said. “It's most likely going to be Joe Biden and Donald Trump in another head-on battle for president again.”
As the primary election is just beginning, DeSantis’s suspension has made the results more predictable. All of America is watching as the 2024 presidential election begins to unfold.
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