Gov. Ron DeSantis Launches 2024 Presidential Campaign

Updated May 24, 2023, 6pm EST

• Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his presidential campaign with a video on Twitter:

I’m running for president to lead our Great American Comeback. pic.twitter.com/YmkWkLaVDg

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) May 24, 2023

What’s the story?

• Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has launched his much anticipated presidential campaign for the 2024 race. 
• DeSantis took the official step of filing paperwork with the Federal Election Council on Wednesday, just hours before a planned livestream on Twitter with Elon Musk, the platform’s owner. The governor is expected to be Donald Trump’s main rival in the presidential race. 
• While DeSantis’ polling numbers have declined, and many are questioning DeSantis’ far-right policies and lack of GOP relationships, he’s generated interest by marketing himself as a younger, more electable version of Trump. 
• DeSantis will likely start his campaign with more money in an outside group than any Republican candidate in history, with more than $80 million to be transferred from his state account to his PAC. 

The Twitter livestream

• Announcing a presidential run during a social media livestream is unprecedented and creates a controversial link between DeSantis and Musk. Many say this connection could foreshadow heavy online advertising during DeSantis’ campaign.
• The online conversation will start at 6pm EST. You can listen to the announcement live on Twitter Spaces, a live audio streaming platform on Twitter.  

How do you feel about DeSantis running for president?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Flickr/Gage Skidmore)