/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WWQMJGLZ2QH6XECBDEEYB33RMY.jpg "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a political roundtable, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Bedford, N.H. The Florida governor is one of Donald Trump's main contenders for the Republican nomination.")
After months of speculation, Ron DeSantis has made it official. He’s running for president.
Close political observers weren’t shocked by the Florida governor’s entry to the race. In recent weeks, he’s made all the typical moves of someone hoping to shine on the national stage: He’s appeared in early 2024 primary states on a book tour; he’s traveled internationally and a super PAC backing his run has raised gobs of money.
Polls show that although former President Donald Trump has a commanding early lead in the race for the Republican nomination, DeSantis is a serious contender.
That’s a stunning development given that DeSantis was a relatively unknown U.S. representative just five years ago.
How did DeSantis rise to national prominence? Check out this video we put together.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/e4f47ba9-e947-473c-9940-686288fbb74b.png "Kirby Wilson - Politics Reporter")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/e29c6f79-609e-4562-b404-d31d400458d5.png "Aya Diab - Video Producer")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/0fd65a44-c271-4596-b7b2-818b41fa012a.png "Jennifer Glenfield - Lead Video Producer")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/s07eabQJsqFFn2nCJaMdf3VN16o=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7H2XEG7MYJEKLAHUTIZMCGGQZA.jpg "Florida State football moves back into Top 4 in AP poll")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/-DSElfJLmNB50I3qmdlHqIWyDpA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FR2MCN2YLJF2HFSB7EFV3RFTMY.jpg "Editorial cartoons for Monday from Times wire services")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Dq9TAeqLOqikcXn96ta4cyi9_yY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/N7CS3OJ37JAYHNBZ47S5DEUIQM.jpg "Feds need to oversee states’ wind-down of Medicaid | Editorial")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/uPmtL8eJCX2Von3H74JZUZ5in8A=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L7SMVFQCOBGRFAAA7NOR5OD73M.jpg "Hillsborough Judge Nancy Jacobs fights for job as troubles mount")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/l4w9hB6O6BTHM5vFSUvZZneW4JM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XLFNMZUYHX3WFSRAVP2PY4FSVQ.jpg "Our AP Top 25 ballot: Where we ranked FSU football, Ohio State, SMU")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/M4UNvUacIyGFGn6WcG7cgiVTUaE=/1200x675/filters:focal(1955x1095:1965x1085)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QSDB3EOXT3YTSGLZYIWV7KBI5U.jpg "Bucs’ comeback falls short after Baker Mayfield’s late fumble vs. Colts")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/BTObYOmXA7YDIgiM_e2x62JWn0c=/1200x675/filters:focal(4065x2035:4075x2025)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/F2VIH7IAI46GPAFLCZMPO2WCIQ.jpg "Panthers fire Frank Reich less than a week before game against Bucs")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/o5leUn23uF6F_ZpJ_OnG5BuF7ws=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XODMEUTMVFCDNFD66G4I7LOOPU.PNG "Hillsborough DUI crackdown during Thanksgiving week nets 44 arrests")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/TILCuCRirBLTiDvNZM5CPnonrpw=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/P2RKXPYGUBAKRA7H7JJ3F5KDA4.JPG "Gift shop at Wesley Chapel’s Krate closing after slow summer sales")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/LSUNxDXQw8K70Dt0iHYA37i1KEA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LOICC336FOCSEBZ2I4K24SZURI.jpg "After takeover, Crystal is back in Florida with a revamped cruise ship")