Republicans eye Florida's "alligator people" for 2028
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is positioning himself for a presidential run. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is running away from the idea of his own campaign for the White House.
Why it matters: The political posturing of the two Florida Republicans — or the efforts to draft either for 2028 — underscores the sudden volatility of the way-too-early GOP preprimary campaign to succeed President Trump.
- Before Tuesday's midterm Republican wipeout, the party's 2028 primary looked like a relatively easy coronation for Vice President Vance (if he runs, as expected). Now there's a nascent movement to kneecap Vance and promote other possible opponents.
Zoom in: As Trump's home base, Florida was bound to take center stage in the conversation. But two things distinguish Florida from other states:
- DeSantis and Rubio have national profiles rooted in their own prior presidential campaigns, in 2024 and 20216, respectively.
- Florida was the lone red-wall state that the national blue wave couldn't top, which DeSantis has been happy to emphasize repeatedly since Tuesday.
- "The alligator people are stirring," said one national Republican consultant with extensive Florida experience, referring to the Sunshine State's official reptile.
Zoom out: The differences between DeSantis and Rubio are vast when it comes to their political futures and styles. DeSantis is hungry. Rubio isn't.
- DeSantis terms-out of the governor's office in January and is looking for work. He hasn't made an official decision on whether to run for president — but he has stoked speculation with a media blitz that began with an Election Day appearance on Stephen A. Smith's podcast.
- Rubio repeatedly has said he plans to stay put in the Trump administration and serve out the rest of his term, until January 2029. He also said in May that he wouldn't run against Vance, and hasn't changed his position publicly.
The intrigue: During the somber election watch party at the White House on Tuesday night, Rubio's phone "blew up" with supporters urging him to reconsider running for president, according to a source familiar with the scene.
- "There was this sense of 'We lost the Latino vote, you can get it back, etc.,'" said the source. "To some people, Rubio seemed to entertain the idea for the first time. Or he didn't shut it down fast enough."
- Two days later, two publications reported that Rubio was actively considering resigning to lay the groundwork to run for president. Rubio denied it to the New York Times, and longtime associates of Rubio's told Axios that the reporting was bogus.
- "Now if Vance doesn't run or if POTUS tells him to step aside so Marco can run, does he? Maybe. I don't see that. But maybe," said one insider.
That same night, Vance got feedback from one supporter who said he shouldn't run. And some GOP donors said they would back DeSantis, according to The Wall Street Journal.
What's next: There's no debate about whether DeSantis is considering a bid. He is.
- DeSantis's postelection appearance on CNN with Jake Tapper was a sign he learned a lesson from his 2024 presidential campaign: Earning free media by sitting for more podcast and TV interviews is crucial.
- Asked whether he plans to run again, DeSantis wouldn't say.
- But he emphasized that "I haven't planned anything because I just think this is a very uncertain time. But last night should be a wakeup call for our party."
- "We really got blasted into oblivion," DeSantis added. "And Florida is kind of the last one standing."
