A closer look at the biggest achievements of Ron DeSantis. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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.
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.
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1982: Largest Margin of Victory Since 1982
On November 8, 2022, DeSantis won the election in a landslide, with the largest margin of victory in a Florida gubernatorial election since 1982.
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1986: Won Palm Beach County
On November 8, 2022, DeSantis won Palm Beach County, which had not voted Republican since 1986.
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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.
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2002: Won Miami-Dade County
On November 8, 2022, DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, which had last voted Republican in 2002.
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2005: Graduation from Harvard Law School
In 2005, Ron DeSantis graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor, cum laude.
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2015: "Taxpayer Superhero" Award
In 2015, Ron DeSantis was named a "Taxpayer Superhero" by Citizens Against Government Waste.
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August 28, 2018: Wins Republican Primary for Governor
On August 28, 2018, Ron DeSantis won the Republican primary for governor, defeating Adam Putnam.
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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.
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January 8, 2019: Inauguration as Governor of Florida
On January 8, 2019, DeSantis became the governor of Florida and was inaugurated into office.
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2021: Florida Legislature Passes DeSantis's Priorities
In 2021, the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature passed DeSantis's top legislative priorities, often on rapid timelines.
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September 2022: State of Emergency Declared for Hurricane Ian
In September 2022, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida as Hurricane Ian approached and requested federal aid in advance.
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2022: COVID-19 Death Rate Ranked 12th Lowest
A 2022 study placed Florida's age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate as the nation's 12th lowest.
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2022: Appeared on Time 100
In 2022, DeSantis appeared on Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
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2022: Re-election as Governor
In 2022, Ron DeSantis was re-elected as the governor of Florida, defeating Charlie Crist by a large margin.
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