Florida Governor Ron DeSantis remains committed to the 2024 race, despite finishing a distant second to former President Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses and narrowly surpassing former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley.
Addressing supporters at a caucus watch party in West Des Moines, DeSantis expressed gratitude for their support, acknowledging the challenging competition.
The path forward for DeSantis post-Iowa is uncertain, as he faces widening gaps behind both Trump and Haley in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Although trailing, DeSantis’s campaign aims to outlast Haley and reach a one-on-one matchup with Trump, foreseeing a potential two-person race in the coming weeks.
Campaign communications director Andrew Romeo indicated the evolving dynamics in a press release, envisioning a two-person race despite the need for additional time.
The atmosphere within the campaign was mixed, with frustration and nervousness prevailing before DeSantis claimed second place on stage in West Des Moines. Concerns arose over the quick projection of Trump’s victory, with accusations of election interference as news broke before some precincts had completed their ballots.
In South Carolina, DeSantis voiced frustration over the projection timing but acknowledged it would not alter the final standings.
Despite the campaign’s optimism about exceeding expectations in Iowa, fundraising concerns lingered, particularly with Trump securing over 50%, and DeSantis narrowly outpacing Haley.
DeSantis intensified his campaign in South Carolina and New Hampshire, targeting Haley in his attacks. He questioned her tenure as governor, referenced a debate with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and dismissed her chances in New Hampshire, where she has seen a rise in polls.
Criticism was also directed at Haley for skipping a debate, leading to its cancellation. Although Haley downplayed DeSantis in her CBS News interview, he expressed plans to make a significant impact in South Carolina, Haley’s home state, New Hampshire, and Nevada, where he is eligible for delegates.
Despite DeSantis’s efforts, some voters, like John Barkman, see Trump as a dominant force in South Carolina, similar to Iowa’s dynamics.
