Republican Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, ended his presidential campaign on Sunday, citing a lack of support from other contenders’ backers. He acknowledged the absence of a viable path to victory and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
At 45, DeSantis was a notable rival to Trump’s campaign, which began in May last year. However, technical issues plagued his initial online presence on the platform now known as X.
Trump won decisively in Iowa last Tuesday, earning 51% of Republican votes. DeSantis received 21%, trailing behind Trump and ahead of Nikki Haley with 19%.
DeSantis expressed his decision on X: “After a second-place finish in Iowa, we’ve considered our options,” he said. He ruled out further campaign efforts due to the unclear path to victory, announcing his campaign suspension.
Acknowledging Republican voters’ preference for Trump, DeSantis offered his endorsement. His announcement preceded the New Hampshire primary, where he lagged behind Trump and Haley in polls.
Criticizing Haley, DeSantis dismissed her as representing old Republican ideals. He suggested that Trump’s potential win in New Hampshire could effectively secure the Republican nomination.
Having initially avoided confronting Trump’s controversies, Haley recently began to question his mental sharpness. She drew parallels between Trump and the 81-year-old incumbent Democrat, Joe Biden.
