History of Ron DeSantis in Timeline
Ron DeSantis is an American politician and attorney, currently serving as the 46th Governor of Florida since 2019. Before becoming governor, DeSantis served as a U.S. Representative for Florida's 6th congressional district from 2013 to 2018. A Republican, DeSantis ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but withdrew his candidacy in January 2024. He is a former naval officer.
1913: Youngest Governor Since 1913
On January 8, 2019, DeSantis became governor of Florida. At age 40, he was the youngest person to assume the office since Park Trammell in 1913.
1949: Posthumous Pardon of the Groveland Four
On January 11, 2019, three days after taking office, DeSantis posthumously pardoned the Groveland Four, a group of black men falsely convicted of rape in 1949.
September 14, 1978: Ron DeSantis's Birth
On September 14, 1978, Ronald Dion DeSantis was born. He is an American politician, attorney, and former naval officer.
1982: Largest Victory Margin Since 1982
In the November 8 election, DeSantis won by the largest margin of victory in a Florida gubernatorial election since 1982.
1986: Won Palm Beach County
In the November 8 election, DeSantis won Palm Beach County, which had not voted Republican since 1986.
1991: Little League World Series
In 1991, Ron DeSantis was a member of the Dunedin National team that made it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
1997: Graduated from Dunedin High School
In 1997, Ron DeSantis graduated from Dunedin High School.
2001: Graduated from Yale University
In 2001, Ron DeSantis graduated from Yale with a B.A., magna cum laude. That year, as a senior, he also had the Yale baseball team's best batting average at .336.
2002: Won Miami-Dade County
In the November 8 election, DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, which had last voted Republican in 2002.
2004: Commissioned as Officer in U.S. Navy
In 2004, Ron DeSantis was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and assigned to the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG).
2004: Joined U.S. Navy
In 2004, after graduating from Yale University and Harvard Law School, Ron DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy.
2005: Graduated from Harvard Law School
In 2005, Ron DeSantis graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor, cum laude.
2006: Promoted to Lieutenant
In 2006, Ron DeSantis was promoted from lieutenant, junior grade to lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.
2006: Stationed at Joint Task Force Guantanamo
In 2006, Ron DeSantis was stationed at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
2007: Assigned to SEAL Team One and Deployed to Iraq
In 2007, Ron DeSantis was assigned as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One and deployed to Iraq in the fall.
April 2008: Reassigned to Naval Region Southeast Legal Service
In April 2008, Ron DeSantis returned to the U.S. and was reassigned to the Naval Region Southeast Legal Service.
September 26, 2009: DeSantis Marries Casey Black
On September 26, 2009, Ron DeSantis married Casey Black in a chapel at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. DeSantis is Catholic, and his wedding ceremony was Catholic.
February 2010: Honorable Discharge from Active Duty
In February 2010, Ron DeSantis received an honorable discharge from active duty, and concurrently accepted a reserve commission.
2010: Honorable discharge from active military duty
In 2010, Ron DeSantis received an honorable discharge from active military duty.
2012: Founded LSAT Freedom
In 2012, Ron DeSantis co-founded LSAT Freedom, an LSAT test-prep company, and worked as a litigator at Holland & Knight.
2012: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2012, Ron DeSantis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 6th congressional district.
2012: First elected to Congress
In 2012, Ron DeSantis was first elected to Congress.
2013: Became U.S. Representative
In 2013, Ron DeSantis began his service as the U.S. representative from Florida's 6th congressional district.
2013: Signed "No Climate Tax Pledge"
In 2013, Ron DeSantis signed a "No Climate Tax Pledge" against any tax hikes to fight global warming and voted in favor of H.R. 45.
2014: Introduced Bill on Federal Agency Enforcement of Laws
In 2014, Ron DeSantis introduced a bill that would have required the Justice Department to report to Congress whenever any federal agency refrained from enforcing laws.
2014: Introduced the Let Seniors Work Act
In 2014, Ron DeSantis introduced the Let Seniors Work Act, which would have repealed an incentive to retire instead of keep working and would have exempted those above 65 from the 12.4% Social Security payroll tax.
2014: Supported Venezuelan Protests
In 2014, Ron DeSantis supported the Venezuelan protests, calling them peaceful and criticizing the Venezuelan government's response. He also asked for IRS commissioner John Koskinen's resignation.
2014: Re-elected to Congress
In 2014, Ron DeSantis was re-elected to Congress.
2014: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2014, Ron DeSantis was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
May 2015: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate
In May 2015, Ron DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2016 United States Senate election in Florida.
2015: Co-sponsored Kate's Law
In 2015, Ron DeSantis co-sponsored Kate's Law, which would have increased penalties for aliens who unlawfully reenter the U.S. after being removed.
2015: Founding Member of Freedom Caucus
In 2015, Ron DeSantis was a founding member of the Freedom Caucus.
2015: Named a "Taxpayer Superhero"
In 2015, Ron DeSantis was named a "Taxpayer Superhero" by Citizens Against Government Waste.
2015: Sister's Death
In 2015, Ron DeSantis's younger sister, Christina, died at age 30 from a pulmonary embolism.
2016: Introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act
In 2016, Ron DeSantis introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act to allow states to create their own accreditation systems.
2016: Received a '0' Rating from the Human Rights Campaign
In 2016, Ron DeSantis received a "0" rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT-related legislation.
2016: Re-elected to Congress and withdrew from U.S. Senate run
In 2016, Ron DeSantis was re-elected to Congress. He also briefly ran for U.S. Senate but withdrew when incumbent senator Marco Rubio sought reelection.
2016: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2016, Ron DeSantis was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
2016: Withdrew from Senate Race
In 2016, Ron DeSantis withdrew from the Senate race and instead ran for reelection to the House.
May 17, 2017: Initiation of Mueller Investigation
On May 17, 2017, the order that initiated the probe "didn't identify a crime to be investigated" and was likely to start a fishing expedition according to Ron DeSantis
June 2017: Congressional Baseball Shooting
In June 2017, Ron DeSantis was present before the congressional baseball shooting, and the perpetrator asked him whether the players were Republicans.
2017: Voted for Trump Tax Cuts
In 2017, Ron DeSantis voted for the Trump tax cuts.
January 5, 2018: Filed to Run for Governor
On January 5, 2018, Ron DeSantis filed to run for governor of Florida to replace Rick Scott. This occurred after President Trump expressed his support for DeSantis's potential run.
August 28, 2018: Won Republican Primary
On August 28, 2018, Ron DeSantis won the Republican primary for governor, defeating Adam Putnam.
November 2018: Supported Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative
In November 2018, DeSantis expressed support for the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative after it passed.
2018: Pledged to Lower Corporate Income Taxes
During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, Ron DeSantis pledged to lower corporate income taxes to 5 percent or lower.
2018: Retired from House of Representatives
In 2018, Ron DeSantis retired from the House of Representatives to run for governor of Florida.
2018: Won Republican Nomination for Gubernatorial Election
In 2018, Ron DeSantis won the Republican nomination for the gubernatorial election and narrowly defeated Andrew Gillum in the general election.
2018: End of Term as U.S. Representative
In 2018, Ron DeSantis's service as the U.S. representative from Florida's 6th congressional district ended.
2018: Elected Governor of Florida
Ron DeSantis was elected governor of Florida in 2018.
January 8, 2019: Became Governor of Florida
On January 8, 2019, Ron DeSantis became the governor of Florida.
February 2019: Navy Reserve Service Ended
In February 2019, Ron DeSantis's Navy Reserve service ended with the rank of lieutenant commander.
April 2019: Directed Expansion of Spanish-Language Ballots
In April 2019, DeSantis directed Florida's elections chief to expand the availability of Spanish-language ballots and Spanish assistance for voters.
June 2019: Signed $91.1 Billion Budget
In June 2019, DeSantis signed a $91.1 billion budget, the largest in state history at the time, cutting $131 million in appropriations.
June 2019: Signed Measure Making Ballot Initiatives Harder
In June 2019, DeSantis signed a measure that would make it harder to launch successful ballot initiatives.
June 2019: DeSantis Signs Anti-"Sanctuary City" Bill into Law
In June 2019, DeSantis signed an anti-"sanctuary city" bill into law, although Florida had no sanctuary cities before the law's enactment.
2019: Inauguration as Governor of Florida
In 2019, Ron DeSantis assumed office as the 46th governor of Florida.
June 2020: DeSantis Signs Bill Requiring E-Verify for Government Employers and Contractors
In June 2020, DeSantis signed a bill requiring government employers and contractors to use E-Verify, making Florida the 12th state to adopt legislation requiring local governments to aid federal immigration-enforcement efforts.
December 2020: Extended Unemployment Waivers
In December 2020, DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021.
2020: Investigated Bloomberg's Felon Voting Initiative
In 2020, DeSantis instructed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to investigate whether Michael Bloomberg had criminally offered incentives for felons to vote.
2020: Democrat Outvoted Republicans by Mail
In February 2021, DeSantis announced his support for eliminating ballot drop boxes and limiting voting by mail because, in 2020, Democrats outvoted Republicans by mail.
February 2, 2021: DeSantis Announces Support for Legislation Against Tech Censorship
On February 2, 2021, Ron DeSantis announced his support for legislation aimed at holding tech companies accountable for alleged political censorship. This came in response to social media networks removing Donald Trump from their platforms. DeSantis and other Florida Republicans pushed to prohibit tech companies from de-platforming political candidates.
February 2021: Supported Eliminating Ballot Drop Boxes
In February 2021, DeSantis announced his support for eliminating ballot drop boxes and limiting voting by mail, requiring voters to re-register every year to vote by mail.
February 27, 2021: Unemployment Waivers Extended Until February 27, 2021
In December 2020, DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021.
April 2021: DeSantis Signs Combating Public Disorder Act
In April 2021, DeSantis signed into law the Combating Public Disorder Act, which forbade intimidation by mobs, penalized damage to historic properties or memorials, and forbade publishing personal identifying information online with intent to harm.
May 5, 2021: DeSantis Announces Bonuses for First Responders
On May 5, 2021, DeSantis announced that all Florida police officers, firefighters, and paramedics would receive a $1,000 bonus.
June 1, 2021: DeSantis signs Fairness in Women's Sports Act
On June 1, 2021, DeSantis signed the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (SB 1028) into law. The law bans transgender girls and women from participating in middle-school, high-school, and college women's sports competitions.
June 2021: Led Effort to Ban Critical Race Theory
In June 2021, DeSantis led an effort to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Florida public schools. The Florida Board of Education approved the ban on June 10.
June 2021: Signed $101.5 Billion Budget
In June 2021, Ron DeSantis signed a $101.5 billion budget and vetoed $1.5 billion.
September 14, 2021: Announced Replacement of FSA Test
On September 14, 2021, DeSantis announced that Florida would replace the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) test with a system of three smaller tests throughout the school year.
September 2021: DeSantis Introduces Signing Bonus for Police Officers
In September 2021, DeSantis introduced a $5,000 signing bonus for Florida police officers to attract out-of-state recruits.
September 2021: Announced Re-election Campaign
In September 2021, Ron DeSantis announced that he would run for reelection as Governor of Florida.
November 22, 2021: Announced Temporary Waiver of Gasoline Tax
On November 22, 2021, DeSantis announced that he would temporarily waive Florida's gasoline tax in the next legislative session due to a significant increase in gasoline prices.
December 2, 2021: DeSantis Announces Reactivation of Florida State Guard
On December 2, 2021, DeSantis announced that $3.5 million would be allocated to the reactivation of the Florida State Guard, a volunteer state defense force that had been inactive since 1947, as part of a $100 million funding proposal for the Florida National Guard.
December 15, 2021: Announced Stop WOKE Act
On December 15, 2021, DeSantis announced a new bill, the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act ("Stop WOKE Act"), which would allow parents to sue school districts that teach critical race theory.
2021: DeSantis Halts Cooperation with Biden Administration on Migrant Relocation
In 2021, DeSantis halted cooperation with the Biden administration's program to relocate and resettle migrants in Florida in the wake of a surge in illegal immigration. DeSantis's administration also allocated $12 million for relocating migrants to other states.
2021: Florida legislature passed DeSantis's top priorities
In 2021, the Florida legislature passed DeSantis's top priorities.
February 2022: DeSantis voices support for the Parental Rights in Education Act
In February 2022, DeSantis voiced his support for the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act (HB1557), commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. This act prohibits discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in school classrooms from kindergarten to grade 3.
March 2022: DeSantis signs Parental Rights in Education Act into law
In March 2022, DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Act into law, effective July 1, 2022. The statute includes a provision requiring school district personnel to encourage students to discuss well-being issues with parents.
April 14, 2022: Signed 15-Week Abortion Ban
On April 14, 2022, DeSantis signed into law a bill that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions. Previously, the limit had been 24 weeks.
April 2022: DeSantis Signs Bill Eliminating Disney's Special District
In April 2022, DeSantis signed a bill eliminating The Walt Disney Company's special independent district act and replacing its Disney-appointed board of overseers amid a dispute over the Parental Rights in Education Act.
May 2022: Florida's Unemployment Rate Below National Average
Since May 2022, Florida's unemployment rate has sat around two percent, below the national average.
July 1, 2022: 15-Week Abortion Ban Expected to Go Into Effect
On July 1, 2022, the 15-week abortion ban signed by DeSantis was expected to go into effect.
August 18, 2022: Enforcement of Stop WOKE Act Blocked
On August 18, 2022, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the Stop WOKE Act as applied to businesses, ruling that it violated the First Amendment.
September 2022: DeSantis Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Ian
In September 2022, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida as Hurricane Ian approached and asked for federal aid ahead of time.
September 2022: DeSantis Sends Migrants to Martha's Vineyard
In September 2022, DeSantis sent two chartered planes carrying 50 newly arrived asylum seekers, mostly from Venezuela, from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, via Crestview, Florida. The migrants later filed a class-action suit against DeSantis.
2022: Criticized Charlie Crist's attendance record
During the 2022 campaign, DeSantis stated that Crist only showed up for work 14 days during 2022 as a U.S. representative.
2022: Gasoline tax waiver in Florida
In 2022, DeSantis announced that he would temporarily waive Florida's gasoline tax in the next legislative session.
2022: DeSantis named in Time 100 list and becomes millionaire
In 2022, DeSantis appeared on Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. His $1.25 million book deal with HarperCollins in 2022 made him a millionaire by the end of that year.
2022: DeSantis Seen as Potential Presidential Contender
In 2022, DeSantis became seen as a contender for the Republican presidential nomination, with some writers predicting he could defeat Trump or was preferable to Trump.
2022: DeSantis signs bill creating election police unit
In 2022, DeSantis signed a bill creating an election police unit to investigate election fraud.
2022: "Monkey this up" controversy
In 2022, Dexter Filkins, writing in The New Yorker, recalled the "monkey this up" gaffe after DeSantis's primary win which was considered a racist dog whistle.
2022: Allegations Regarding Guantanamo Bay
In 2022, Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfi alleged that Ron DeSantis oversaw force-feeding detainees at Guantanamo Bay, which DeSantis acknowledged advising on.
2022: Defeated Charlie Crist in gubernatorial election
In 2022, Ron DeSantis defeated Charlie Crist in the gubernatorial election by 19.4 percentage points.
2022: Corporate Income Taxes Increased
In 2022, corporate income taxes in Florida increased to 5.5 percent after getting as low as 3.5 percent in 2021.
2022: Implemented New Testing System
In 2022, the new testing system was implemented.
2022: Re-elected Governor of Florida
Ron DeSantis was re-elected governor of Florida in 2022.
January 2023: Supreme Court of Florida to Hear Challenge to Abortion Law
In January 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida agreed to hear a legal challenge to the 15 week abortion ban.
March 2023: DeSantis considers further legislation on education
As of March 2023, DeSantis was considering further legislation similar to the Parental Rights in Education Act for all grades.
April 2023: Trump leads DeSantis in national polls
In April 2023 Trump led DeSantis in national polls for the Republican nomination, but DeSantis was performing better in battleground polling of the general election.
April 2023: Signed Six-Week Abortion Ban
In April 2023, DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban with limited exceptions.
April 26, 2023: Disney Files Lawsuit Against DeSantis
On April 26, 2023, The Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and several others, accusing them of retaliating against protected speech following Disney's opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act.
May 2023: DeSantis Announces Plans to Send Personnel to Texas Border
In May 2023, DeSantis announced plans to send over 1,000 personnel to Texas, including National Guard troops, to help Texas stem the influx of illegal immigration across the southern border.
May 24, 2023: Announced Candidacy for President
On May 24, 2023, Ron DeSantis announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
September 2023: DeSantis net worth estimated at $1.5 million
As of September 2023, DeSantis's net worth was estimated at $1.5 million, up from $300,000 in 2021.
2023: Record State Budget Surplus
Florida had a record state budget surplus in 2023.
2023: Reversed Position on Social Security
While running for president in 2023, Ron DeSantis reversed his previous position on Social Security, stating, "we’re not going to mess with Social Security."
January 2024: Withdrawal from Presidential Nomination
In January 2024, Ron DeSantis withdrew from the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race.
January 21, 2024: Withdrew Presidential Candidacy and Endorsed Trump
On January 21, 2024, Ron DeSantis withdrew his presidential candidacy and endorsed Trump.
January 31, 2024: Disney's Lawsuit Against DeSantis Dismissed
On January 31, 2024, the lawsuit filed by Disney against DeSantis was dismissed, though Disney vowed to appeal the decision.
March 27, 2024: Disney Settles State Court Lawsuits with DeSantis
On March 27, 2024, Disney settled its pending state court lawsuits with DeSantis. Per the agreement, Disney put the appeal of its federal lawsuit on hold while a new development agreement with Florida was negotiated.
April 1, 2024: Florida Supreme Court Upheld 15-Week Ban
On April 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the 15-week ban.
May 1, 2024: Six-Week Abortion Ban Went Into Effect
On May 1, 2024, the six-week abortion ban went into effect after the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the 15-week ban on April 1, 2024.
June 2024: DeSantis Vetoes Waterway Safety Bill
In June 2024, DeSantis vetoed a bill passed by the State House that would have created a statewide process managed by the Department of Health to issue closures and send warnings if the bacteria in waterways reached unsafe levels.
September 2024: DeSantis Defends Election Police Unit Visits
At a press event in September 2024, DeSantis defended the election police unit's visits to the homes of Florida voters who had signed an abortion rights ballot initiative.
2024: "Two More Years" Chants
After winning the November 8 election, at DeSantis's victory rally, supporters chanted "two more years" to show support for DeSantis for president in 2024.
2024: DeSantis signs law to prohibit social media accounts for people under 16.
In 2024, Desantis signed into a law a bill that requires social media platforms to prohibit people under 16 years old from making accounts.
2024: Speculation increases surrounding DeSantis presidential campaign
In 2024, The release of DeSantis's memoir, The Courage to Be Free, and book tour, increased speculation that DeSantis was going to run for President.
2024: Presidential Campaign Speculation
In 2024, during a gubernatorial debate, Crist questioned DeSantis about his commitment to a full four-year term as governor, alluding to speculation about a potential presidential campaign in 2024.
2026: Ineligible to Run for a Third Term
Ron DeSantis is not eligible to run for a third term as governor of Florida in 2026.
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