Ron DeSantis's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Ron DeSantis. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

2005: DeSantis Graduates from Harvard Law School

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

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.

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.

2015: "Taxpayer Superhero" Title

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

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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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'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 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.