If Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) doesn’t have a significant win against Democrat challenger Charlie Crist in November’s Governor race, his 2024 aspirations could be thrown into question.
Although DeSantis hasn’t confirmed his 2024 ambitions, a narrow win in the midterms could weaken his dominance and performance in GOP polls.
DeSantis has become a preferred candidate among GOP voters should former President Donald Trump not seek a third term.
But a significant win in the Governor’s race could help stave off potential challengers.
If DeSantis can attain a blowout victory on November 8, the Florida Governor could secure significant campaign donations from deep-pocketed donors, like his current billionaire donors, which include Citadel founder Ken Griffin.
According to Susan MacManus, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Florida in Tampa, DeSantis would have to secure a victory greater than 3.3 percentage points over his Democrat challenger, this figure would show he can carry the battleground state.
3.3 Percentage points is significant since it’s the figure Trump beat President Joe Biden by in Florida in the 2020 Presidential elections.
DeSantis can’t afford a loss against Crist as this would demolish his 2024 ambitions.
But a close race with his Democratic challenger, who skated to victory in his Democratic primary, would also jeopardize DeSantis’s 2024 ambitions as it would complicate securing early support and funding.
Yet pundits also believe that anything short of a resounding victory for DeSantis would discourage the Florida Governor from pursuing the Presidency.
