Could DeSantis be the future of the GOP? It certainly appears that way.

Ron DeSantis must be doing something right. Because the Republican Florida governor has raised the ire of former President Donald Trump. 

It recently came to light that Trump has called DeSantis “fat,” phony” and “whiny.”

Typical Trump. He doesn’t like that DeSantis is gearing up to give him a tough challenge if both Florida residents choose to make a run for president in 2024. 

But don’t expect DeSantis to return the name-calling. That’s not his style. While his political ambitions seem pretty clear, the governor has proven he’s committed to putting his state first, as we’ve witnessed during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

And though DeSantis is not afraid of controversy, he’s also able to stay above the petty fray that has always entangled Trump. 

In my latest column, which is part of our series on the future of conservatism, I delve into DeSantis’ role in the GOP, his record as governor, and what we can expect from him in the coming months. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of him, and for anyone who’s ready to move past Trump, this is welcome news. 

Thanks for reading. 

-Ingrid Jacques

The future of the GOP

Ingrid's column on DeSantis is the latest in a project that looks at where the conservative moment is going and who will lead it there. Here are the rest of those columns. 

►America needs to purge Donald Trump from our system. But for that to happen, Republicans must first purge Trump from the party's leadership.

►As Americans, we remain in a political union, and changes on the right help shape national politics. So what sort of conservative movement arises out of this emerging parallel society?

►The challenge for GOP leaders is to keep traditional Republicans in the fold while Trump-aligned activists push an agenda that doesn’t mesh with mainstream conservatism.

►I fear that a further balkanization of the nation into red America and blue America will make our politics at the federal level even uglier and more dangerous.

►Republicans are catching on that a diversity of candidates plays better with voters, and women on the right are starting to change the face of the GOP.

►Conservatives don't need to look backward to the 1980s. But we do need to engage in serious discussions. 

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