Skip to main content
CivicGate

← Governors

Ron DeSantis

Governor of Florida — currently serving. Party, term history, and sourced provenance. Sections fill in as records land.

Ron DeSantis

Republican Florida 2019–present In office

Born September 14, 1978

Terms

  1. Governor of Florida Republican Current

    January 8, 2019 → present

Background

  • background Born September 14, 1978, Jacksonville, Florida; Yale University (BA); Harvard Law School (JD); attorney; U.S. Navy officer; Republican.
  • background U.S. Navy (2004–2010); promoted to lieutenant; legal advisor SEAL Team One; deployed Iraq (2007); special assistant U.S. attorney.
  • role U.S. House (2013–2018, Florida 6th); elected 2012, reelected 2014 and 2016; founding member Freedom Caucus; Donald Trump ally.
  • achievement 2018 Florida governor election defeated Andrew Gillum (0.4%); 46th Governor (2019–present); COVID-19 and hurricanes Ian, Helene, Milton.
  • achievement 2022 reelection defeated Charlie Crist (19.4% margin); largest gubernatorial margin since 1982; signed Senate Bill 266.
  • role 2024 Republican presidential candidate; announced May 24, 2023; withdrew January 21, 2024; endorsed Donald Trump.

Governors lead the executive branch of their state. Browse other officials in People, or read how state and federal offices fit together in the civics primer. Coverage is honest — current governors plus recent history.