The results of the midterm elections in the United States give many reasons for reflection to analysts, and one of the main ones they call “the end of the Trump era” in connection with the confident re-election of Republican Ron DeSantis to the post of governor of Florida. His victories could be an excellent springboard for participation in the presidential elections, which will take place in two years. American political scientist and journalist Sabirzhan Badretdinov is almost sure that Desantis will replace Trump in them:
“As you know, all governors in the United States (except for the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont) are elected for a 4-year term. After a governor is re-elected, his or her gleeful supporters routinely chant during rallies, "Four more years! Four more years!" (Four more years! Four more years!). This tradition has been around for decades.
But here's what's curious: after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was re-elected in the 2022 midterm elections, his supporters chanted not "Four more years!" but "Two more years!"
Why two and not four? - a question may arise.
The answer is simple: by doing so, they hinted in a half-joking manner that DeSantis would run for President of the United States in 2024.
Such hopes suddenly became much more tangible after his crushing victory over his rival Charlie Crist, whom DeSantis outscored by almost 20%. This is an unheard of success against the background of very modest victories of other Republican politicians.
And this despite the fact that the current patriarch of the Republican Party, Donald Trump, did not make the slightest effort to re-elect DeSantis. Trump only once mentioned the governor in passing, reluctantly saying that Republicans should vote for DeSantis in Florida.
Usually, the president actively participates in the campaigns of candidates of this caliber - makes joint speeches at election rallies, regularly mentions the candidate in his speeches, assists him in fundraising, and so on.
Trump did none of this for the simple reason that Desanstis is considered a potential rival to Trump in the 2024 election. DeSantis is the epitome of "Trumpism without Trump" as the Florida governor takes similar or even identical positions to Trump's on almost every issue. In addition, he diligently copies Trump's style - arrogant, cheeky and aggressive.
During the midterms, many of the candidates Trump personally endorsed were defeated—sometimes by Democrats, sometimes by Republicans indifferent to Trump. This also weakened the position of the former president. More and more Republicans are mulling over the option of giving their votes to DeSantis instead of Trump in 2024.
If Trump starts to have health problems or lawsuits finally undermine his reputation, then DeSantis will have a great chance to become President of the United States in 2024..."