History of Ron DeSantis in Timeline

Ron DeSantis is an American politician and the current Governor of Florida, serving since 2019. A Republican, he previously represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. Before entering politics, DeSantis served as a naval officer and worked as an attorney. He ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but withdrew from the race in January 2024.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1913: Youngest governor since Park Trammell in 1913

On January 8, 2019, DeSantis became the youngest governor since Park Trammell in 1913.

1947: Florida State Guard deactivated

The Florida State Guard had been inactive since 1947 until DeSantis announced its reactivation on December 2, 2021.

1949: Posthumously pardoned 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 Born

On September 14, 1978, Ronald Dion DeSantis was born. He is an American politician, attorney, and former naval officer.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Little League World Series

In 1991, DeSantis was a member of the Dunedin National team that made it to the Little League World Series.

1997: DeSantis Graduated High School

In 1997, DeSantis graduated from Dunedin High School.

2001: DeSantis Graduates from Yale

In 2001, DeSantis graduated from Yale with a B.A., magna cum laude. He also had the baseball team's best batting average at .336 as a senior and was captain.

2004: Commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy

In 2004, DeSantis was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and assigned to the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps during his second year at Harvard Law School.

2004: DeSantis Joins U.S. Navy

In 2004, after graduating from Yale and Harvard Law, DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy.

2005: Completed Naval Justice School

In 2005, DeSantis completed Naval Justice School and reported to the Judge Advocate General Trial Service Office Command South East at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, as a prosecutor.

2005: DeSantis Graduates from Harvard Law School

In 2005, DeSantis graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor, cum laude.

2006: DeSantis at Guantanamo Bay

In 2006, DeSantis arrived at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, working with detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

2006: Promotion to Lieutenant

In 2006, DeSantis was promoted from lieutenant, junior grade to lieutenant.

2006: DeSantis Stationed at Guantanamo

In 2006, DeSantis was stationed at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

2007: DeSantis Serves as Legal Advisor to SEAL Team One

In 2007, DeSantis reported to the Naval Special Warfare Command Group and was assigned as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One, deploying to Iraq in the fall.

2007: DeSantis Deployed to Iraq

In 2007, DeSantis was deployed to Iraq.

April 2008: Reassigned to Naval Region Southeast Legal Service

In April 2008, DeSantis returned to the U.S. and was reassigned to the Naval Region Southeast Legal Service and was appointed as a special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Middle District of Florida.

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. The wedding ceremony was Catholic.

February 2010: Honorable Discharge and Reserve Commission

In February 2010, DeSantis received an honorable discharge from active duty and accepted a reserve commission as a lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Navy Reserve.

2010: DeSantis' Honorable Discharge

In 2010, DeSantis was honorably discharged from active military duty.

2012: DeSantis Runs for Congress

In 2012, DeSantis ran for Congress after founding LSAT Freedom and working as a litigator at Holland & Knight.

2012: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, DeSantis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 6th congressional district after aligning himself with the Tea Party movement.

2012: DeSantis First Elected to Congress

In 2012, DeSantis was first elected to Congress.

2013: Signed "No Climate Tax Pledge"

In 2013, DeSantis signed a "No Climate Tax Pledge" against any tax hikes to fight global warming and voted in favor of H.R. 45 to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

2013: DeSantis Becomes U.S. Representative

In 2013, Ron DeSantis began serving as the U.S. representative from Florida's 6th congressional district.

2014: Introduced Bill on Justice Department Reporting

In 2014, DeSantis introduced a bill that would have required the Justice Department to report to Congress whenever any federal agency refrained from enforcing laws.

2014: Let Seniors Work Act

In 2014, DeSantis introduced the Let Seniors Work Act to repeal an incentive to retire and exempt those above 65 from the Social Security payroll tax.

2014: DeSantis Supports Venezuelan Protests

In 2014, DeSantis supported the Venezuelan protests and criticized the Venezuelan government's response, comparing it to Fidel Castro's techniques.

2014: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2014, DeSantis was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

2014: DeSantis Reelected to Congress

In 2014, DeSantis was reelected to Congress.

May 2015: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate

In May 2015, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2016 United States Senate election in Florida.

2015: "Taxpayer Superhero" Title

In 2015, Citizens Against Government Waste named DeSantis a "Taxpayer Superhero".

2015: Criticism of Obama's Immigration Policies

In 2015, DeSantis criticized Obama's immigration policies and co-sponsored Kate's Law to increase penalties for aliens who unlawfully reenter the U.S.

2015: Founding Member of the Freedom Caucus

In 2015, DeSantis was a founding member of the Freedom Caucus.

2015: DeSantis' Sister Dies

In 2015, DeSantis' younger sister Christina died at age 30 from a pulmonary embolism.

2016: Introduced Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act

In 2016, DeSantis introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act, which would have allowed states to create their own accreditation systems.

2016: Zero Rating from Human Rights Campaign

In 2016, DeSantis received a "0" rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT-related legislation.

2016: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2016, DeSantis was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

2016: DeSantis Reelected to Congress and Senate Campaign

In 2016, DeSantis was reelected to Congress. Also in 2016 he withdrew from his campaign for U.S. Senate after Marco Rubio sought reelection.

2016: Withdrawal from Senate Race

In 2016, DeSantis withdrew from the Senate race after Rubio ran for reelection, and DeSantis ran for reelection to the House.

May 17, 2017: Initiation of Mueller Investigation

On May 17, 2017, DeSantis said that the order that initiated the Mueller investigation of President Trump "didn't identify a crime to be investigated".

June 2017: Congressional Baseball Shooting

In June 2017, 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, 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 the office of governor of Florida, seeking to replace the term-limited Republican incumbent Rick Scott.

August 28, 2018: Won the Republican primary

On August 28, 2018, Ron DeSantis won the Republican primary for Florida governor, defeating his main opponent, Adam Putnam.

2018: Retires from the House of Representatives

In 2018, DeSantis retired from his position in the House of Representatives, where he served three terms, to run for governor of Florida.

2018: Elected Governor of Florida

In 2018, DeSantis was elected governor of Florida.

2018: DeSantis Wins Republican Nomination

In 2018, DeSantis won the Republican nomination in the gubernatorial election and defeated Andrew Gillum.

2018: DeSantis Ends Term as U.S. Representative

In 2018, Ron DeSantis ended his service as the U.S. representative from Florida's 6th congressional district.

January 8, 2019: Became governor of Florida

On January 8, 2019, Ron DeSantis became the governor of Florida. At age 40, he was the youngest person to assume the office since 1913.

February 2019: End of Navy Reserve Service

In February 2019, DeSantis's Navy Reserve service ended, with the rank of lieutenant commander, a month after his gubernatorial inauguration.

June 2019: Signed $91.1 billion budget

In June 2019, Ron DeSantis signed a $91.1 billion budget passed by the Florida legislature the previous month. At the time, it was the largest budget in the state's history, though DeSantis cut $131 million in appropriations.

June 2019: DeSantis signs anti-"sanctuary city" bill

In June 2019, Ron DeSantis signed an anti-"sanctuary city" bill into law, although Florida had no sanctuary cities before the law's enactment.

2019: DeSantis Becomes Governor of Florida

In 2019, Ron DeSantis became the 46th governor of Florida.

March 2020: Start of COVID-19 pandemic response

Beginning in March 2020, Florida's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic began, with mixed reviews from scientists and media outlets. By March 22, 2023, the state had the 12th-highest rate of cases and deaths per 100,000 people.

June 2020: DeSantis signs E-Verify bill

In June 2020, Ron DeSantis signed a bill requiring government employers and contractors to use E-Verify. This made Florida the 12th state to adopt legislation requiring local governments to aid federal immigration-enforcement efforts.

December 2020: Extended unemployment waivers

In December 2020, Ron DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: DeSantis as a likely 2024 candidate

During 2020, media outlets viewed DeSantis as a likely candidate for the 2024 presidential election, and notable people urged him to run.

2020: Christopher Columbus statue damaged

In 2020, downtown Miami's Christopher Columbus statue was damaged, which contributed to DeSantis advocating for the Combating Public Disorder Act.

February 2, 2021: DeSantis announces support for legislation to hold tech companies accountable

On February 2, 2021, Ron DeSantis announced support for legislation aimed at preventing alleged political censorship by tech companies. This was in response to social media networks removing Trump from their platforms. The proposed legislation sought to prohibit tech companies from de-platforming political candidates in Florida.

February 27, 2021: Extended unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021

In December 2020, Ron DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2021: DeSantis signs Combating Public Disorder Act

In April 2021, Ron DeSantis signed into law the Combating Public Disorder Act. The anti-riot statute 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 bonus for first responders

On May 5, 2021, Ron 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, Ron DeSantis signed the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (SB 1028). This law bans transgender girls and women from participating in middle-school, high-school, and college women's sports competitions, taking effect on July 1.

June 2021: Led effort to ban teaching of critical race theory

In June 2021, Ron DeSantis led an effort to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Florida public schools, describing it as "teaching kids to hate their country."

June 2021: Signed $101.5 billion budget

In June 2021, Ron DeSantis signed a $101.5 billion budget for Florida, using his line-item veto to cut $1.5 billion, including $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act money for an emergency response fund.

September 14, 2021: Announced replacement of FSA test

On September 14, 2021, Ron 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 police signing bonus

In September 2021, Ron DeSantis introduced a $5,000 signing bonus for Florida police officers in a bid to attract out-of-state police recruits.

November 22, 2021: Announced temporary waiver of Florida's gasoline tax

On November 22, 2021, Ron 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, Ron DeSantis announced that as part of a $100 million funding proposal for the Florida National Guard, $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.

December 15, 2021: Announced the Stop WOKE Act

On December 15, 2021, Ron 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: Mixed reviews of DeSantis's COVID-19 response

During 2020 and 2021, DeSantis's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic received mixed reviews. In 2021, Florida's age-adjusted death rate, which takes its disproportionately elderly population into account, was roughly near the median among states.

2021: DeSantis halts cooperation with Biden administration on migrant resettlement

In 2021, Ron DeSantis halted cooperation with the Biden administration's program to relocate and resettle migrants in Florida. DeSantis's administration also allocated $12 million for relocating migrants to other states.

2021: DeSantis's net worth in 2021

In 2021, Ron DeSantis's net worth was estimated at $300,000.

2021: Florida legislature passed DeSantis's top priorities

In its 2021 session, the Florida legislature passed DeSantis's top priorities. During his tenure, the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature enacted much of DeSantis's legislative agenda, often on rapid timelines.

February 2022: DeSantis voices support for "Don't Say Gay" law

In February 2022, Ron 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 "Don't Say Gay" law

In March 2022, Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, into law. The statute includes a provision requiring school district personnel to encourage a student to discuss issues relating to his or her well-being with his or her parent.

April 14, 2022: Signed 15-week abortion ban into law

On April 14, 2022, Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy in Florida, with limited exceptions.

April 2022: DeSantis eliminates Disney's special district

In April 2022, Ron DeSantis signed a bill eliminating The Walt Disney Company's special independent district act and replacing its Disney-appointed board of overseers, escalating a dispute that began after Disney called for the repeal of the "Don't Say Gay" law.

May 2022: Florida's unemployment rate sat around two percent

Since May 2022, Florida's unemployment rate has sat around two percent, below the national average.

September 2022: DeSantis declares state of emergency for Hurricane Ian

In September 2022, Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida as Hurricane Ian approached and asked for federal aid ahead of time. He partnered with Elon Musk of SpaceX to use Starlink satellite Internet service to help restore communication across the state.

September 2022: DeSantis sends migrants to Martha's Vineyard

In September 2022, Ron DeSantis sent 50 newly arrived asylum seekers, mostly from Venezuela, from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, via chartered planes. This action led to a class-action suit against DeSantis.

2022: DeSantis Reelected as Governor

In 2022, DeSantis defeated Charlie Crist in the gubernatorial election, achieving the state's largest margin of victory for a governor's election in 40 years.

2022: Re-elected Governor of Florida

In 2022, DeSantis was re-elected governor of Florida.

2022: Allegations of Overseeing Force-Feeding at Guantanamo

In 2022, Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfi alleged that DeSantis oversaw force-feeding detainees at Guantanamo, which DeSantis acknowledged advising on.

2022: DeSantis's appearance on Time 100 and Book Deal

In 2022, Ron 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 a contender for the 2024 nomination

In 2022, Ron DeSantis became seen as a contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, particularly after the midterm elections where he was reelected governor by almost 20 percentage points. In a straw poll at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference DeSantis came in second with 28%, to Trump's 59%.

2022: DeSantis creates election police unit

In 2022, Ron DeSantis signed a bill creating an election police unit to investigate election fraud.

2022: DeSantis's pandemic management

In 2022, a study placed Florida's age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate at the nation's 12th lowest, and it was considered his handling of the pandemic may have benefitted him in his reelection campaign.

March 2023: Consideration of further "Don't Say Gay" legislation

As of March 2023, Ron DeSantis was considering further similar legislation to the "Don't Say Gay" law for all grades.

March 22, 2023: Florida COVID cases and deaths

From March 2020 through March 22, 2023, Florida had the 12th-highest rate of cases and deaths per 100,000 people among the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. These numbers were not initially adjusted for Florida's large elderly population.

April 2023: Trump leads DeSantis in national polls

In April 2023, Donald Trump led Ron DeSantis in national polls for the Republican nomination, but DeSantis was performing better in battleground polling of the general election for the 2024 presidential election.

April 2023: DeSantis signs six-week abortion ban

In April 2023, Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The legislation allows exceptions up to 15 weeks for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or human trafficking, provided the woman offers proof of the crime. It also makes providing an abortion a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, bans telemedicine for abortion, and limits the availability of medication abortion.

April 26, 2023: Disney files suit against DeSantis

On April 26, 2023, The Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit against Ron DeSantis and others, accusing them of retaliating against protected speech after Disney called for the repeal of the Parental Rights in Education Act.

May 2023: DeSantis announces plan to send personnel to Texas

In May 2023, Ron DeSantis announced plans to send over 1,000 personnel, including National Guard troops, to Texas to assist in stemming illegal immigration across the southern border.

May 24, 2023: DeSantis Announces Presidential Candidacy

On May 24, 2023, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

September 2023: DeSantis's net worth estimated at $1.5 million

As of September 2023, Ron DeSantis's net worth was estimated at $1.5 million.

2023: Reestablished the Florida Department of Commerce

In 2023, Ron DeSantis reestablished the Florida Department of Commerce, consolidating Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

2023: Reversed position on Social Security

While running for president in 2023, DeSantis reversed his previous position on Social Security, stating, "we’re not going to mess with Social Security."

January 2024: DeSantis Ends Presidential Campaign

In January 2024, Ron DeSantis withdrew his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

January 21, 2024: DeSantis Withdraws Presidential Candidacy

On January 21, 2024, DeSantis withdrew his presidential candidacy and endorsed Trump.

January 31, 2024: Dismissal of Disney's lawsuit

On January 31, 2024, Disney's lawsuit against DeSantis was dismissed, though Disney vowed to appeal.

March 27, 2024: Disney settles state court lawsuits with DeSantis

On March 27, 2024, Disney settled its pending state court lawsuits with Ron DeSantis. As part of the agreement, Disney put its appeal of the federal lawsuit on hold while a new development agreement with Florida was negotiated. This settlement occurred after DeSantis replaced two Disney critics on the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District with two Disney supporters and shortly after a court largely overturned The Parental Rights in Education Act.

April 1, 2024: Florida Supreme Court upholds 15-week abortion ban

On April 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the 15-week abortion ban, which led to a six-week ban going into effect on May 1, 2024. The original bill allows abortions up to 15 weeks in cases of rape, incest, or human trafficking (with proof), makes providing an abortion a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, bans telemedicine for abortion, and limits the availability of medication abortion.

May 1, 2024: Six-week abortion ban takes effect

On May 1, 2024, Florida's six-week abortion ban went into effect after the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the 15-week ban on April 1, 2024. The bill outlaws abortion at six weeks, contains exceptions for up to 15 weeks in cases of rape, incest, or human trafficking with proof of a crime required, makes providing an abortion a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, bans telemedicine for abortion, and limits the availability of medication abortion.

June 2024: DeSantis vetoes waterway safety bill

In June 2024, Ron 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 visits to homes of abortion rights ballot initiative signers

At a press event in September 2024, Ron DeSantis defended the election police unit's visits to the homes of Florida voters who had signed an abortion rights ballot initiative.

2024: Social Media restrictions for minors

In 2024, Ron Desantis signed a law requiring social media platforms to prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from creating accounts. This law faced criticism from digital rights organizations like Netchoice, who argued it infringes on First Amendment rights by requiring Floridians to hand over sensitive personal information or lose access to critical information channels.

2024: DeSantis considered for Secretary of Defense

In 2024, due to controversy over Pete Hegseth's nomination, Trump considered nominating DeSantis as Secretary of Defense.

2024: Increased speculation of a presidential run

The release of DeSantis's memoir, The Courage to Be Free, and book tour, increased 2024 presidential speculation.

February 24, 2025: Established the Florida Department of Government Efficiency

On February 24, 2025, Ron DeSantis established the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, a state-level equivalent of the federal Department of Government Efficiency.