Conservatives and media pundits overwhelmingly pointed to the midterm election results out of the state of Florida as the top story from this election season, with most seemingly in agreement that a seismic shift had just occurred in Republican politics.
Republicans across the country underperformed in races that they were predicted to win, with some of the candidates backed by former President Donald Trump struggling or losing in key U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races.
Florida was the one overwhelmingly bright spot for the Republican Party as DeSantis crushed the expectations of even his staunchest allies, winning by more than 1.5 million votes in a 19.5-point margin over Democrat Charlie Crist for the state’s governorship.
DeSantis won 62 of Florida’s 67 counties, including 59 counties by double digits. DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, the largest county in the state and a Democrat stronghold, by 11 points. He won Palm Beach County, the third largest county in the state and another Democrat stronghold, by three points.
DeSantis’ victory came despite repeated attacks from Trump in recent days, who some say has panicked over the notion that he may have to face DeSantis in a 2024 presidential primary. As of Wednesday morning, betting markets had DeSantis as the favorite to be the Republican Party nominee for president in 2024.
“One stunning truth exploded like fireworks on the Fourth of July tonight: The #DeSantis era has begun,” actor James Woods tweeted. “No more limp-twisted Republican political hacks ‘reaching across the aisle’ will ever win again. This is war, and only warriors will win.”
“What a massive, crushing message DeSantis sent tonight,” Republican political analyst Scott Jennings said, later adding, “How could you look at these results tonight and conclude Trump has any chance of winning a national election in 2024?”
Echelon Insights pollster Patrick Ruffini tweeted, “An election where Oz and Walker narrowly lose and where DeSantis romps by 20 points is the worst possible night for Trump and the best possible night for DeSantis.”
“If DeSantis lets Trump bluff him out of running for president after winning Florida by A MILLION AND A HALF VOTES it will be a fold for the political ages,” political writer Tim Alberta tweeted. “Make no mistake: DeSantis should now be considered the betting favorite to win the GOP nomination in ’24.”
“Ron DeSantis won his last gubernatorial race by 30,000 votes,” The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro tweeted. “He turned that into a historically large victory and along with the rest of the state GOP, turned a heretofore purple state bright red. Good things to remember for Republicans going forward.”
Other top responses included:
Anyone else wishing DeSantis could come to the UK and sort out the Conservative party?
Florida is where woke comes to die! And in the process a swing state turns solidly Republican.
Rishi Sunak and his fellow wets in the Tories should watch and learn.pic.twitter.com/vFgrKoUJ2h— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) November 9, 2022
Just- all the chatter on my conservative and GOP channels – is rage at Trump like I've never seen. "The one guy he attacked before Election Day was DeSantis- the clear winner, meanwhile, all his guys are shitting the bed."
— Michael Brendan Dougherty (@michaelbd) November 9, 2022
Ron DeSantis just pulled off the most monumental shift in state politics any of us have ever seen with Florida
He did this with courage, principle, and results
He stood strong against the Covid madness
The best governor in America has his best night yet. Bravo!
— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) November 9, 2022
Some clear takeaways:
– New Yorkers want crime. It’s who they are. Stay out of cities.
– Arizona today shows 2024 is unsafe. Indictments must happen. Highest priority.
– Trump can’t carry a general.
– DeSantis can pull independent voters. Flipped Miami Dade. It’s his time.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) November 9, 2022
Trump has 0 shot at 2024 general. After tonight, this isn’t up for debate. I was around in 2015 when he had “no chance,” and accurately said he’d win. Threw biggest inauguration event in 2017.
Times change or he changed or whatever.
DeSantis in 2024 or accept total defeat.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) November 9, 2022
Trump sent a warning shot to DeSantis today, his typical threats.
DeSantis responded with a massive electoral victory in Florida.
Of those two paths it's clear which is better for the nation and for the GOP.
— David French (@DavidAFrench) November 9, 2022
I LOVED Trump and campaigned for him in 2016 but the guy has lost his mind and attached everyone in our party far too much to be a serious face going forward. The COVID-19 briefings did him in and now he’s sealed it. Time to move on.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) November 9, 2022
The fact that Trump attacked DeSantis the day before election day and ON election day says it all. He is a total narcissist and I’m over it. I’m not getting paid to say any of this like everyone else in your feed, I’m just so sick of this garbage.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) November 9, 2022
Look at DeSantis and Kemp. They won on their decisions, leadership, consistency and ability to connect with their constituents. They won with a message of what they have delivered, they won for what they did in 2021 AND 2022. We don’t need “king makers” we need servants.
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) November 9, 2022
DeSantis blew the competition away while much of the rest of the Republican Party underperformed. What exactly is the argument against DeSantis 2024?
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) November 9, 2022
One of key reasons I think DeSantis does well — and it should be incredibly obvious — is that he's actually competent at his job. Pretty rare these days.
— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) November 9, 2022
DeSantis has proven that culture war is good policy and good politics. It's time for Republicans to lean in and abolish critical race and gender theory from American life.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) November 9, 2022