DeSantis Says He Has Not Planned A 2028 Run After Midterm Losses

TALLAHASSEE (VINnews) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he has not planned a run for president in 2028, while describing the previous night’s midterm election results as a clear wake-up call for the Republican Party.

Asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper whether he was considering a presidential bid, DeSantis replied that he would be “a free man come Jan. 5th,” referring to the end of his term as governor. He added that he “hasn’t planned anything” regarding a future campaign.

DeSantis said the midterm results, in which Democrats made major gains across much of the country, should prompt the party to reassess its approach. “Last night should be a wakeup call for our party,” he said. “We got blasted into oblivion. Florida is the last one standing.”

He also addressed the motivations of potential candidates, saying anyone who wants to run should have a clear purpose beyond personal ambition. “Somebody that wants to run — why are you running? You have something you want to accomplish,” DeSantis said. “I’m more about doing it to accomplish things, not to be somebody.”

The comments came the day after midterm elections in which Republicans suffered significant losses nationally, while Florida remained a bright spot for the GOP. DeSantis, who is term-limited, made multiple media appearances Tuesday as attention turned to the party’s path forward and potential 2028 contenders.

DeSantis previously sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before ending his campaign. His remarks Tuesday left open the possibility of future political activity while emphasizing results over early positioning.