In a surprising turn of events, Ron DeSantis, once considered a frontrunner for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination, has decided to end his White House bid just two days before the New Hampshire primary. The Florida governor, aged 45, announced his withdrawal in a video posted to X, expressing that a majority of Republican primary voters prefer giving Donald Trump another chance.
DeSantis threw his support behind Trump, stating, “He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear: a re-packaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.” This move leaves Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, as the only Republican contender aiming to challenge Trump for the party’s nomination.
At a campaign event in Seabrook, New Hampshire, Haley informed supporters of DeSantis’ exit, drawing cheers from the crowd. She concluded her statement with, “May the best woman win,” emphasizing her determination to compete in the primary.
One potential advantage for Haley is that Republican donors now have a single candidate to support in their attempt to stop Trump. This could enable her to extend her campaign beyond the primary in her home state of South Carolina, scheduled for February 24.
However, Trump seems to be gaining momentum as about two-thirds of DeSantis supporters in New Hampshire cite Trump as their second choice, according to Andrew Smith, director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. This shift may give Trump the appearance of party unity, with DeSantis followers likely to rally behind their candidate’s endorsement of Trump.
Despite Haley’s persistence, the odds appear steep for her, and there might be immediate pressure for her to withdraw if she doesn’t perform well in South Carolina, her home state.
DeSantis’ Campaign Missteps and Decline in Support
Initially considered a top contender for the 2024 Republican nomination, DeSantis saw a decline in support over the past months. Issues with campaign strategy, a perceived lack of connection with voters, and Trump’s firm grip on the party’s base contributed to this decline.
More than 70% of Republicans hold a favorable opinion of Trump, making it challenging for DeSantis to appeal to both Trump supporters and those seeking an alternative within the party. The governor failed to articulate convincingly why he was a better option than Trump.
DeSantis also faced criticism for the timing of his candidacy, entering the race in May 2023, more than six months after Trump’s announcement. The delay exposed him to early attacks from Trump and hindered his ability to build momentum.
Additionally, DeSantis’ formal campaign launch in May 2023 faced technical glitches on Twitter (referred to as X), signaling a rocky start. The campaign’s financial management came under scrutiny as it overhired, quickly burned through cash, and outsourced much of the traditional campaign work to an outside super PAC, limiting coordination between the campaign and the PAC.
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