Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis
2028 Republican presidential nominee
$47.2M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age47 years old (Sep 14, 1978)
GenderMale
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LocationFlorida
BackgroundPolitician
EducationYale University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsRonald Dion DeSantis is an American politician, attorney, and former U.S. Navy officer who has served as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019. He previously represented Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. He earned a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the U.S. Navy.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Ron DeSantis repeatedly advocates state tax reductions and targeted tax relief—blocking or reducing business taxes, expanding sales-tax holidays, and proposing property-tax relief or elimination—while framing these actions as fiscal restraint. His recent budgets and proposals prioritize permanent cuts or repeals (business rent tax, sales taxes on specific items) and one-time or ongoing tax rebates for homeowners.
Healthcare
Opposes the Affordable Care Act and has voted repeatedly to repeal it; has opposed expanding Medicaid in Florida and resisted Medicaid expansion initiatives as governor. As governor he has pursued state-level market-oriented measures such as promoting continuation of Florida’s Low-Income Pool waiver and signing prescription drug transparency and market-reform legislation rather than adopting ACA expansion or a public option.
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Immigration & Border
Supports enforcement-first, restrictionist immigration policies including operational control of the southern border, building a border wall, declaring a national emergency on day one, and expanding state-level enforcement measures and penalties for illegal entry and human smuggling. As governor has activated the National Guard for migrant interdiction, signed broad anti-illegal-immigration laws (including mandatory E-Verify and enhanced penalties), and proposed measures to facilitate detention and deportation.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports significant restrictions on abortion access in Florida, signing a 15-week ban in 2022 and later supporting and signing more restrictive legislation that limits most abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected. The laws he signed allow limited exceptions for the life or serious health risk to the pregnant person and include narrow or conditional exceptions for rape or incest in some provisions.
Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes coastal resilience and has funded significant state investments for sea-level rise and flood preparedness, while opposing many climate-mitigation measures such as state-level climate planning and renewable energy mandates; he signed laws restricting offshore wind and removing climate-change requirements from state policy. His actions prioritize resilience and conservation projects but favor market-driven energy choices and limits on regulatory/renewable mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Ron DeSantis has backed expansive gun-rights measures including signing Florida’s permitless/constitutional carry law and urging further pro-Second Amendment changes such as open carry. He has criticized and called for repealing parts of Florida’s red flag (extreme risk) law, arguing it raises due-process concerns, and emphasizes law enforcement and accountability rather than new gun restrictions.
News
Ron DeSantis is drawing attention for staking out a skeptical stance on expanding artificial intelligence, arguing it could displace jobs and raise energy costs and environmental impacts. He is also pushing ideas like tighter regulation of data centers and an “AI Bill of Rights,” positioning himself differently from pro-AI Republicans such as JD Vance and Marco Rubio. The moves are being framed as part of his effort to stay politically relevant as 2028 speculation grows, and one recent poll put him at 8% among likely GOP primary voters.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leans into AI skepticism
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leans into AI skepticism, seeking a contrast with Vance
DeSantis, first lady embrace far-right policies, MAGA agenda
DOJ reportedly dismisses Gov Ron DeSantis Hope Florida scandal complaint
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising