TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decisive victory and Republicans’ lackluster performance elsewhere in the country have become fodder for conservatives, who are increasingly casting doubt over former President Donald Trump’s influence over the party and wondering if DeSantis may have a more effective playbook.
DeSantis’ commanding win in Florida — where he led Republican gains in every county, including reliably Democratic counties — gave the governor a lonely but national platform as a potential party leader.
In the aftermath of the election, conservative media outlets declared Trump the party’s “biggest loser” on election night and characterized DeSantis as “DeFUTURE” — reaction that Trump did not appreciate.
