Networks indicate Ron DeSantis defeats Charlie Crist to win reelection in Florida

Multiple networks predicted that Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis won the reelection on Tuesday, defeating former Governor Charlie Crist handily.

Florida was viewed as a reliable purple state twenty years ago. In contrast, it has become more Republican in recent years as races have become less competitive. In recent polls, DeSantis has a comfortable 11-point lead over Crist in this year's gubernatorial election.

Numerous analysts saw the Florida election as emblematic of the larger culture wars in the United States. DeSantis is a staunch MAGA Republican, a term referring to Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, and it is widely believed that he has his presidential ambitions for 2024. On the campaign trail, he advocated for restricting LGBTQ-related conversations in public schools and transporting refugees seeking asylum in Florida to sanctuary cities. He also promised to increase funding for recovery as the state rebuilds following Hurricane Ian.

While DeSantis did not campaign on expanding Florida's 15-week abortion ban, many political observers believe he intends to implement additional restrictions during his second term as governor.

Crist ran as a moderate in the hopes of attracting disillusioned Republicans who had supported him during his tenure as Florida governor and before he switched to the Democratic Party. He has campaigned as a defender of reproductive rights and a champion of expanding access to voting, promising to overturn several DeSantis mandates that restrict the use of mail-in ballots.