Julie Green, a prominent voice in conservative Christian communities, has spoken of a special calling on DeSantis, suggesting he’s marked for a significant national role …
Is God Raising Up Ron DeSantis For Another Presidential Run?
In the sultry heat of Florida’s political landscape, one name continues to burn bright, even after the flames of a bruising 2024 presidential campaign: Ron DeSantis. The 46th governor of the Sunshine State, a man whose ascent from a Yale-educated Navy JAG officer to a conservative firebrand has captivated the nation, stands at a crossroads. His 2024 bid for the Republican nomination ended in a distant second-place finish in Iowa, a humbling moment that forced him to suspend his campaign and endorse Donald Trump.
Yet, as the dust settles on that chapter, whispers of a comeback grow louder. Could Ron DeSantis, the man who reshaped Florida into a conservative stronghold, be plotting a return to the national stage in 2028? This article dives deep into the speculation surrounding DeSantis’s potential presidential run, exploring his past, his present, and the tantalizing possibility of a future anointed by destiny—or, as some claim, by spiritual conviction.
The Making of a Contender
To understand DeSantis’s potential path to 2028, we must first trace the arc of his remarkable career. Born in Jacksonville in 1978 and raised in Dunedin, DeSantis was a standout student and athlete, earning a history degree from Yale and a law degree from Harvard. His time in the Navy, including service as a JAG officer at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq, forged a discipline that would define his political style: calculated, relentless, and unapologetic. Elected to Congress in 2012, he represented Florida’s 6th District with a Tea Party fervor, championing limited government and military veterans’ issues. But it was his 2018 gubernatorial victory—narrowly secured with Trump’s endorsement—that catapulted him into the national spotlight.
As governor, DeSantis transformed Florida into a laboratory for conservative governance. He defied federal COVID-19 mandates, keeping schools and businesses open while other states locked down. His Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics, sparked a cultural firestorm, cementing his reputation as a warrior against progressive orthodoxy. He took on corporate giants like Disney, stripping the company of special tax privileges after it opposed his policies. His 2022 re-election by nearly 20 points—a landslide in a state once known for razor-thin margins—proved his political prowess. Yet, the 2024 presidential primary exposed vulnerabilities: a campaign plagued by technical glitches, staffing shakeups, and an inability to outshine Trump’s cult of personality.
The 2024 Fallout: Lessons Learned
The 2024 campaign was a crucible for DeSantis. Launched with high expectations, it stumbled early. His Twitter announcement with Elon Musk was marred by technical failures, setting a tone of disarray. Critics, including GOP pollster Frank Luntz, noted that DeSantis focused too much on policy wonkery and not enough on connecting with voters. “The Ron DeSantis on paper did not live up to Ron DeSantis the candidate,” Luntz remarked. Trump’s relentless attacks, branding him “DeSanctimonious,” didn’t help. By the Iowa caucuses, despite visiting all 99 counties, DeSantis couldn’t break Trump’s grip on the base, finishing far behind and exiting the race in January 2024.
But defeat can be a teacher, and DeSantis has shown a knack for adaptation. Post-campaign, he returned to Florida with a renewed focus on relatability. A selfie video with his son Mason, predicting Super Bowl teams, went viral for its humanizing charm—a stark contrast to the stiff candidate of 2024. He’s since leaned into retail politics, hosting town halls and engaging donors with a warmth that was absent last time. “Republicans have marveled at how much more comfortable DeSantis has appeared since dropping out,” Axios reported in January 2024. These moves suggest a man learning from his mistakes, recalibrating for a future fight.
The 2028 Landscape: Opportunity Beckons
As 2028 looms, the Republican field is wide open. Trump, ineligible for a third term, leaves a void that DeSantis is uniquely positioned to fill. At 50, he’ll be a seasoned yet youthful candidate, with near-universal name recognition and a robust donor network. Vice President JD Vance, a potential rival, leads early polls, but his youth (44 in 2028) and lack of executive experience pale against DeSantis’s gubernatorial record. Other contenders—Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Marco Rubio—lack DeSantis’s proven ability to win statewide in a battleground state. The Democratic side, meanwhile, faces uncertainty, with Kamala Harris’s struggles and no clear successor in sight.
DeSantis’s path hinges on timing. His term as governor ends in January 2027, giving him a year to build a national campaign without the constraints of office. Allies suggest he’s already laying the groundwork, maintaining ties with Iowa and New Hampshire activists and fundraising for GOP candidates like Reps. Chip Roy and Laurel Lee. A February 2024 CNN report noted that DeSantis “hasn’t ruled anything out,” citing a leaked call where he discussed 2028 with supporters. His recent push for border security legislation in Florida, even if rebuffed by state Republicans, signals a bid to stay relevant on Trump’s signature issue—immigration—while carving out his own lane.
The Prophetic Dimension: A Spiritual Calling?
For some, DeSantis’s potential run carries a spiritual weight. In 2023, charismatic Christian preacher Charlie Shamp shared a vision of DeSantis as a leader destined for the White House, likening him to Ronald Reagan. Shamp’s prophecy, aired on the Jim Bakker Show, stirred evangelical circles, framing DeSantis as a figure chosen to battle cultural decay. More recently, Julie Green, a prominent voice in conservative Christian communities, has spoken of a special calling on DeSantis, suggesting he’s marked for a significant national role. In a 2024 broadcast, Green emphasized his importance to America’s future, resonating with believers who see him as a principled warrior. While such claims captivate some evangelicals, they remain divisive, with critics dismissing them as political theater.
Yet, DeSantis has long courted this demographic. His 2022 campaign ad, proclaiming “God made a fighter,” invoked biblical imagery, and his speeches often reference Ephesians 6’s “armor of God.” These nods, coupled with endorsements from figures like Sean Feucht, have bolstered his appeal among charismatic Christians. If Green and others continue to amplify this narrative, it could galvanize a key GOP voting bloc in 2028, especially in early primary states like Iowa, where evangelicals hold sway. Still, DeSantis must tread carefully—his Catholic faith may not fully align with charismatic fervor, and overplaying the prophetic card risks alienating secular voters.
Challenges and Rivals
The road to 2028 is fraught with obstacles. DeSantis’s 2024 campaign left scars, with some donors and operatives wary of his interpersonal aloofness. “He’s not a backslapper,” one GOP consultant told AP News in February 2025, noting DeSantis’s discomfort with retail politics. Trump’s shadow looms large; his endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds for Florida governor in 2026 suggests a potential rival faction within the state. If Trump remains a kingmaker, DeSantis’s criticisms of him in 2024 could haunt him.
Polls, like a January 2025 McLaughlin survey showing DeSantis at 8% behind Vance’s 27%, underscore the work ahead.
Then there’s the policy tightrope. DeSantis’s hardline stances—on abortion, education, and corporate influence—thrill conservatives but alienate moderates.
Florida’s six-week abortion ban, which he championed, faces a 2024 referendum that could undermine his record if voters overturn it. His feud with Disney, while a populist win, rattled business-friendly Republicans.
The Comeback Narrative
Despite these hurdles, DeSantis’s story is tailor-made for a comeback. History favors resilience—Reagan, Nixon, and Biden all lost before winning the presidency. At 50, DeSantis has time to refine his pitch, leveraging Florida’s economic growth (projected to outpace the nation through 2028) as a case study. His focus on issues like school choice, crime, and border security aligns with GOP priorities, and his youth contrasts with an aging political class. If inflation or cultural debates dominate in 2028,
DeSantis’s record could resonate.
His personal life adds depth. Married to Casey, a former newscaster who survived breast cancer, DeSantis is a father of three young children—Mason, Madison, and Mamie—whose presence softens his image. Casey’s rumored 2026 gubernatorial bid could keep the DeSantis brand in the spotlight, creating a political dynasty that amplifies his reach. “Gov. Ron DeSantis is eyeing a 2028 presidential run while his wife, Casey, readies a 2026 gubernatorial bid,” The Dispatch reported in April 2025, fueling speculation of a coordinated strategy.
The Verdict: A Fighter’s Return?
Ron DeSantis is no stranger to defying odds. From a middle-class kid to Florida’s most powerful governor, he’s built a career on grit and ambition. The 2024 defeat stung, but it didn’t break him. Instead, it’s fueled a quiet reinvention, blending lessons from failure with the confidence of a man who believes his time is coming. Whether driven by spiritual narratives, as Julie Green and others proclaim, or by sheer political calculus, DeSantis’s 2028 prospects hinge on his ability to connect, inspire, and outmaneuver a crowded field.
As Florida’s sun sets on his governorship, the national stage beckons. The GOP base, hungry for a post-Trump leader, may yet turn to the man who stood firm against mandates, media, and Mickey Mouse. If DeSantis can harness his record, sharpen his charisma, and navigate Trump’s orbit, 2028 could be his moment. For now, he’s a phoenix in waiting, wings singed but ready to soar. The question isn’t whether he’ll run—it’s whether America will crown him.
