DeSantis wins decisively in reelection bid

The Associated Press called the race with an estimated 73% of the vote counted.

Ron DeSantis in Geneva, Fla., Aug. 24, 2022

By Ben Whedon

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has won reelection against Democratic challenger Charlie Crist.

The Associated Press called the race with an estimated 73% of the vote counted. As of press time, DeSantis held a commanding 15-point lead over Crist with 57.2% of the vote to the Democrat's 42.2%.

DeSantis faced a tough race in 2018 for the governor's mansion but narrowly triumphed against Democrat Andrew Gillum. His margin tonight represents a considerable improvement in his performance.

Crist himself was a former Republican governor who turned independent after losing the party's Senate primary to Marco Rubio in 2010. He later became a Democrat and secured election to the House of Representatives before again setting his sights on the governor's mansion.