Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ended his Republican presidential campaign on Sunday. He has since endorsed rival Donald Trump.
Former president Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley are now the last major Republican contenders standing.
DeSantis announced his exit in a video on social media. He said, “It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance.”
He continued, “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 . . . that Nikki Haley represents.”
Meanwhile, Haley spoke at a campaign stop in Seabrook, New Hampshire.
“He ran a great race, he’s been a good governor, and we wish him well,” she told a room packed with supporters and media. “Having said that, it’s now one fella and one lady left.”
DeSantis’ decision isn’t surprising. He finished as a distant second to Mr. Trump in Iowa. Yet the high-profile governor was once thought to be a Republican threat to the former president. After months of combative exchanges, Mr. Trump struck a more peacemaking tone late Sunday. He called DeSantis a “really terrific person” and said he looked forward to working with him.
DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential contest with major advantages. Early polls suggested DeSantis was in a strong position to win the candidacy. He and his allies amassed a political fortune of over $130 million. He also boasted a consistent record on key issues for many conservatives.
But those advantages didn’t last. From a high-profile announcement plagued by tech glitches to constant staff and tactic upheavals, DeSantis struggled.
DeSantis’ allies say that discussions began shortly after Iowa to decide how to bow out of the race gracefully. He made stops in South Carolina ahead of a planned event in New Hampshire Sunday evening. He ultimately canceled that event. By Sunday, he had returned to Florida.
Despite feuding with Mr. Trump, DeSantis ultimately endorsed him.
“While I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump . . . Trump is superior to the current incumbent, Joe Biden. That is clear,” says DeSantis.
New Hampshire resident James Spillane had initially backed the former president. Then he switched to DeSantis. Now he will vote for Mr. Trump.
“Unfortunately, DeSantis is not going to be able to make it forward,” he says. “However, in the future, hopefully we can have a viable way forward in 2028.”
