Ron DeSantis Pulls Out Of Republican Presidential Race, Endorses Trump

Image: Ron DeSantis Social Media

Florida governor Ron DeSantis has announced he will no longer campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

Having finished second place in the Iowa Caucus, Mr DeSantis days later posted a video to his social media announcing his withdrawal and endorsement of Donald Trump.

“If there was anything I could do to produce a favourable outcome — more campaign stops, more interviews – I would do it,” he said.

“But I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time, and donate their resources, if we don’t have a clear path to victory.

“Accordingly, I am today suspending my campaign.”

Mr DeSantis was widely considered as one of the top contenders for the 2024 Republican vote, and in 2023, was leading many several head-to-head polls against Trump.

Over the last few months however, his support in the polls has declined, having failed to appeal to those who not only were against Trump, but to try and change the opinions of those who supported the former president.

“It is clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald trump another chance,” he said.

“Trump is superior to the current incumbent Joe Biden. That is clear.

“I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honour that pledge as my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”

Ms Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN, is now the last Republican in the race with any shot against Trump.

The successful candidate of the Republican vote will then take on president Joe Biden in the general election in November.