The Stage Is Set for 2024 - but Ron DeSantis Is Still Around. Where Does Florida's Governor Go From Here?

All eyes have been on the Trump/Vance ticket lately - as well as on their opposing numbers, the Queen of Word Salads Kamala Harris and her as-yet-unknown second banana. That is appropriate, of course. Barring some influence from the various also-rans, the contest now is Trump v. Harris, and what happens in November will have far-reaching consequences.

But there are other Republican worthies out there with a long political future ahead of them. One of them ran for the 2024 GOP nod, lost out in the first primaries, and in a show of solidarity, threw his support behind Donald Trump. That worthy is, of course, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the question that comes to mind about one of the most effective Republican governors in the nation right now is this: Where does Ron DeSantis go from here?

Ron DeSantis still wants to be president. And he won’t let JD Vance stand in his way.
Even after the Florida governor’s presidential campaign crashed and burned, those close to the governor expect him to mount another bid for the White House. The Ohio senator’s elevation as former President Donald Trump’s running mate complicates DeSantis’ political future, should the GOP ticket win in November and Vance inherits the support of the Trump wing of the GOP.
DeSantis could face an uphill battle if he wants to run against Vance, several prominent Republicans said. The two have fairly similar biographies: Vance is 40 — nearly six years younger than the Florida governor — and also has a law degree from an Ivy League school, served in the military and has a photogenic wife and three young kids. The difference would be the platform: In 2028, Vance could be vice president, while DeSantis would be two years out of office.

There can be little doubt that Ron DeSantis still has his eyes set on the Resolute Desk, and it would be mildly surprising if, at some point, he doesn't realize that goal. But there are some complications - and some interesting alternatives.

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First of all, Ron DeSantis is young - as of this writing, he is 45 years old and will be 49 in the 2028 election cycle. He has time. So let's examine his options.

First, let's assume (as still looks likely) a Trump/Vance win in November. Ron DeSantis still has two years left in this second term as governor, then he is at odds; there may be a place for him in the Trump administration, but that seems unlikely at two years into a second term. Assuming JD Vance runs for the top spot, the wise thing to do would be for DeSantis to throw his support behind Vance and bide his time; DeSantis will only be 53 in the 2032 cycle and 57 in the 2036 cycle; he's got plenty of time with engaging in a primary challenge that could hurt the GOP's chance of holding the White House. Of course, if for some reason JD Vance demurs on running for president, the door is wide open.

Second, should the Trump/Vance ticket lose to the Harris/Whoever ticket in November, that changes things up a lot. Ron DeSantis might be the guy to challenge an incumbent Kamala Harris (shudder) in 2028 - or JD Vance may wish to have his shot. Vance, it should be noted, is even younger than DeSantis - 40 as of this writing - and he's still got a political future ahead of him no matter which options he chooses. But in this instance, the primary would be wide open, with DeSantis and Vance the presumed front-runners - unless an 82-year-old Trump tried for a fourth time, which seems unlikely.

Third and finally, it makes a difference what Ron DeSantis does in the meantime after he steps down as Governor in 2026. Will he run for some other office? Will he spend some time at a right-leaning news network as a commentator? Will he publish his memoirs and spend some time resting on his laurels until his presidential options open back up? Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, Florida's two Senators, don't appear to be going anywhere soon, and it seems unlikely DeSantis would want to return to the House of Representatives - but the one thing he will have to do, should he want that top spot, is to make sure he doesn't fade from public awareness.

Whatever happens, Ron DeSantis isn't about to fade quietly away. He's going to be a notable figure in American politics for a good long time, and if he doesn't make another bid for the presidency at some point, I'll be the most surprised man since Charles, Duke of Orléans looked across the field at Agincourt and said, "Oh, the English, they have a few archers - never mind, we'll rout them - attack!"