In an interview, DeSantis said it was a ‘safe assumption’ that he would run for a second term as governor. | Joe Raedle / Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he plans to run for a second term of four years and expects to make a formal announcement by the end of the year.
He said speculation about a White House bid in 2024 was “total waste”, but did not specifically rule out the possibility of a presidential bid.
Advertisement
In an interview, Republicans said it was a “safe assumption” that he would run for a second term as governor.
“I plan that, I have not announced it yet, but I think it is a safe assumption that I will do it,” DeSantis said.
“Any political thing you hear along those lines – that’s total waste,” DeSantis said of speculation he would impose a White House bid. ‘It does not come from me. I just do one day at a time. ‘
DeSantis stepped down from his New Year’s congress to governor of the nation’s third-largest state in just eight years and is considered a potential GOP candidate for president.
But the Republicans, a close ally of President Donald Trump, who owes his term in the governor’s office in part to the president’s approval, could have a political remark if Trump won the White House in November. loses, especially if he can not take his new home state from Florida.
DeSantis had won favorable approval ratings until the coronavirus pandemic struck earlier this year. After narrowly slashing Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum in 2018, he pushed ahead on environmental initiatives and a pay raise of teacher who won plaudits from Democrats and was able to isolate from partisan attacks during his re-election.
But the pandemic has forced DeSantis to change its focus and stop fundraising for its political commission during the outbreak.
He has come under fire from Florida Democrats for his response to Covid-19, including Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, one of several possible DeSantis challengers in 2022. He has drawn fire for refusing a statewide mask mandate to give because he was slow to shut down the state down, and other responses to the pandemic.
DeSantis, noting that he has three children under the age of 5, mocks the idea that any position chosen is a ‘beauty contest’ for higher office.
“I have a young family, I have a good job, we’ve done a lot here,” DeSantis said. “What’s wrong with just having performances?”
