Early Life and Education of Ron DeSantis: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Ron DeSantis, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Ron DeSantis is an American politician, currently serving as the 46th Governor of Florida since 2019. A Republican, he previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 6th congressional district from 2013 to 2018. Before his political career, DeSantis was a naval officer. He was a contender 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

1947: Florida State Guard Inactive Since 1947

In 1947, the Florida State Guard had been inactive since.

September 14, 1978: Ron DeSantis Born

On September 14, 1978, Ronald Dion DeSantis was born. He later became a politician, naval officer, and the 46th Governor of Florida.

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: Graduation from Dunedin High School

In 1997, Ron DeSantis graduated from Dunedin High School.

2001: Graduation from Yale University

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

2004: Commissioned as Navy Officer

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: DeSantis Joins U.S. Navy

In 2004, after graduating from Yale and Harvard Law, Ron DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

2005: Completes Naval Justice School

In 2005, Ron DeSantis completed Naval Justice School.

2005: Graduation from Harvard Law School

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

2006: Assignment to Joint Task Force Guantanamo

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

2006: Promotion to Lieutenant

In 2006, Ron DeSantis was promoted from lieutenant, junior grade to lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.

2006: Stationed at Guantanamo

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

2007: Assignment to SEAL Team One and Deployment to Iraq

In 2007, Ron DeSantis reported to the Naval Special Warfare Command Group and was assigned as a legal adviser to SEAL Team One; he deployed to Iraq in the fall of 2007.

2007: Deployment to Iraq

In 2007, Ron DeSantis was deployed to Iraq while serving in the U.S. Navy.

April 2008: Reassignment 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. He was also appointed as a special assistant U.S. attorney.

September 26, 2009: Marriage to Casey Black

On September 26, 2009, DeSantis married Casey Black at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

February 2010: Honorable Discharge from Active Duty

In February 2010, Ron DeSantis received an honorable discharge from active duty and accepted a reserve commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

2010: Honorable Discharge from Active Duty

In 2010, Ron DeSantis received an honorable discharge from active military duty and also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney.

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 Election to Congress

In 2012, Ron DeSantis was first elected to the U.S. Congress, representing Florida's 6th congressional district.

2013: Signs "No Climate Tax Pledge"

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

2014: Introduces Bill on Agency Enforcement of Laws

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

2014: Introduces Let Seniors Work Act

In 2014, Ron DeSantis introduced the Let Seniors Work Act, which would have repealed an incentive to retire, and co-sponsored a measure to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.

2014: Support for Venezuelan Protests and Criticism of IRS

In 2014, Ron DeSantis supported the Venezuelan protests and criticized the Venezuelan government's response. He also called for the IRS commissioner's resignation.

2014: Re-elected to Congress

In 2014, Ron DeSantis was re-elected to the U.S. 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: Announces Senate Candidacy

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

2015: Co-sponsors Kate's Law

In 2015, Ron DeSantis co-sponsored Kate's Law, aimed at increasing penalties for aliens who unlawfully re-enter 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: "Taxpayer Superhero" Award

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: Introduces Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act

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

2016: Re-elected to Congress and Senate run

In 2016, Ron DeSantis was re-elected to Congress. He also briefly ran for U.S. Senate, but withdrew when 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: Withdraws from Senate Race

In 2016, Ron DeSantis withdrew from the Senate race after Marco Rubio decided to run for reelection, and instead ran for reelection to the House.

May 17, 2017: Criticism of Mueller Investigation

In May 17, 2017, Ron DeSantis criticized the Mueller investigation, proposing legislation to end its funding.

June 2017: Congressional Baseball Shooting

In June 2017, Ron DeSantis was present before the congressional baseball shooting; the perpetrator asked him whether the players were Republicans.

January 5, 2018: Files to Run for Governor

On January 5, 2018, Ron DeSantis filed to run for the office of governor of Florida.

August 28, 2018: Wins Republican Primary for Governor

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

2018: Wins Republican Nomination for Governor

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

2018: Elected Governor of Florida

Ron DeSantis was elected Governor of Florida in 2018.

February 2019: End of Navy Reserve Service

In February 2019, Ron DeSantis's Navy Reserve service ended with the rank of lieutenant commander.

December 2020: Extended Unemployment Waivers

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

February 27, 2021: Unemployment Waivers Extended

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

June 1, 2021: Fairness in Women's Sports Act Signed

On June 1, 2021, DeSantis signed the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (SB 1028) into law, banning transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports competitions in middle school, high school, and college.

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, describing it as "teaching kids to hate their country."

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.

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: Net Worth

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

February 2022: Support for Parental Rights in Education Act

In February 2022, DeSantis voiced support for the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act (HB1557), also known as the "Don't Say Gay" law.

March 2022: "Don't Say Gay" Law Signed

In March 2022, DeSantis signed the "Don't Say Gay" bill into law, prohibiting discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in school classrooms from kindergarten to grade 3.

May 2022: Florida Unemployment Rate Below National Average

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

2022: New Testing System Implemented

In 2022, DeSantis's new testing system was implemented in the 2022–23 school year.

2022: Re-elected Governor of Florida

Ron DeSantis was re-elected Governor of Florida in 2022.

March 2023: Considering Further Legislation

As of March 2023, DeSantis was considering further similar legislation for all grades regarding education.

May 24, 2023: Announces Candidacy for President

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

September 2023: Estimated Net Worth

As of September 2023, DeSantis's net worth was estimated at $1.5 million, up from $300,000 in 2021.

March 27, 2024: Disney Settles State Court Lawsuits

On March 27, 2024, Disney settled its pending state court lawsuits with DeSantis, putting the appeal of its federal lawsuit on hold while a new development agreement with Florida was negotiated.