In just a matter of a couple short weeks, the midterm elections will be essentially over. Sure, there will be some too-close-to-call stuff that needs adjudication, but that unfortunately seems to be par for the course in American politics of late.
And it is at this point that we begin to refocus our political attention to presidential politics, and specifically to the 2024 race’s GOP primary, as former President Donald Trump may or may not be the only candidate in the race.
In recent days, there has been a great deal of speculation about the potential candidacy of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and the MAGA Republican didn’t provide much of an answer.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis clashed with Democratic challenger Charlie Crist during their lone debate on Monday as the two traded barbs over key issues in the 2022 midterms, including abortion, immigration and the Republican governor’s presidential ambitions.
The hour-long debate in Fort Pierce, filled with supporters of both candidates, was mostly focused on DeSantis’s record over the past four years, including exchanges over the governor’s decision to fly almost 50 mostly-Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard or how he handled Hurricane Ian.
Crist made several references to DeSantis’ rumored run, and the Sunshine State lawmaker consistently shut him down.
In one of the most heated moments, Crist asked DeSantis to tell Floridians whether he’d carry out his full second term if re-elected, which garnered an awkward pause during the debate as DeSantis waited to answer.
“Why don’t you look in the eyes of the people of Florida and say to them, if you’re reelected you will serve a full four year term as governor. Yes or no,” Crist prodded. “Yes or no, Ron?” After several seconds, DeSantis responded: “I know that Charlie is itching to talk about 2024 and Joe Biden. But I just want to make things very, very clear: The only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.”
This was the only debate remaining on the schedule after Hurricane Ian forced lawmakers to pursue
