Ron DeSantis announced his withdrawal from the race for the Republican nomination in the upcoming presidential election on Sunday, a relatively early exit that highlights the ongoing influence of former President Donald Trump within the party. The 45-year-old Governor of Florida was once seen as the strongest chance for Republicans to surpass Trump, and his announcement came in a video posted on the social media platform X, in which he also endorsed Trump.
DeSantis was widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for the Republican nomination, viewed as a natural heir to Trump due to his combative style and very conservative views. He had outperformed Trump in several direct polls in early 2023. However, DeSantis's popularity has been declining for several months due to his campaign's flawed strategy and notable lack of flexibility in handling voter concerns regarding campaign issues, as well as Trump's strong hold on a significant portion of the party's electoral base.
DeSantis's withdrawal means that former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is now the last Republican contender with a chance to deny Trump the nomination. The winner of the Republican nomination will face President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic nominee, in the general election in November.
