• Governor Ron DeSantis captures Florida’s Gubernatorial Race
• DeSantis defeated Democrat Charlie Crist, pulling in 59% of the vote
• With the win, insiders have DeSantis pegged as a potential 2024 presidential frontrunner 

Governor Ron DeSantis easily dispatched Democrat Charlie Crist on his way to re-election Tuesday night.

The rising Republican star strolled to victory over his Democratic rival. As of 9 p.m, DeSantis has captured 59% of the vote compared to his Crist’s paltry 40%. DeSantis, a popular governor among GOP circles and potential 2024 presidential candidate, never really broke a sweat in the lead-up to Election Day, holding onto a double-digit lead in the polls for much of the race. 

The win secures DeSantis another four years inside the Governor’s Mansion and may be a precursor to an Election Day bloodbath for Democrats — both statewide and on the national stage.

“Congratulations to Governor DeSantis. I hope you beat my margin of victory and win my home county. You have done a very fine job as Governor of the state I love,” Jeb Bush wrote on Twitter. 

Crist, a mainstay in Florida’s political arena, had what many considered a Sisyphean Task of usurping DeSantis.

Following the loss, Crist conceded to DeSantis at his election night event at the Hilton in St. Petersburg.

“I want to give a congratulations to Governor DeSantis on his re-election,” Crist said. “Governor DeSantis, to you and your family, I wish you only the best, and I wish the best to my fellow Floridians.”

The ‘Top-Gov’ has been on a political ascent since taking office in 2018, becoming somewhat of a last bastion for conservatives who ardently reject the direction the Democratic Party is going. Aside from his aforementioned rise in popularity, DeSantis also rode a historic cash advantage on his way to reelection, bolstering his war chest with over $200 million, more than any governor in American history, according to Open Secrets.

By comparison, Crist only managed to raise a meager $28.4 million.

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