Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 2024 Odds Lengthen as GOP Primary Field Grows

Posted on: June 6, 2023, 04:50h. 

Last updated on: June 7, 2023, 11:11h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is seeing his 2024 odds lengthen, as the Republican Party’s primary field for next year’s presidential election continues to grow.

Ron DeSantis Donald Trump 2024 odds
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks in New Hampshire on June 1, 2023. DeSantis’ odds of being the Republican Party’s nominee for president next year continue to lengthen as the GOP field welcomes new entries. Former President Donald Trump is the party’s betting front-runner at this juncture. (Image: EPA)

DeSantis and US Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) formally threw their names in the GOP 2024 hat late last month. They joined former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and conservative radio host Larry Elder in officially declaring their intent to secure the Republican Party’s 2024 nomination for president.

The GOP field grew further this week with former Vice President Mike Pence launching his presidential campaign. Former New Jersey governor and 2016 presidential candidate Chris Christie is expected to announce his own 2024 run Tuesday night during a town hall event in New Hampshire.

The ballooning primary field is seemingly improving Trump’s odds of being the Republicans’ presidential nominee for the third consecutive presidential election cycle. The growing list of candidates is meanwhile lengthening DeSantis’ odds of upsetting the billionaire front-runner.

Complicated Relationship

DeSantis was once seen as Trump’s successor as the leader of the GOP. But as DeSantis’ stock in the Republican Party rose, Trump noticed and began to distance himself from the Florida governor.

Trump has since nicknamed DeSantis as “DeSanctimonious.” The moniker came after DeSantis’ wife last year shared a video on social media that seemed to suggest her husband was destined to save the Sunshine State.

The attacks have since escalated, with Trump taking credit for DeSantis’ gubernatorial election win in 2018.

DeSantis got elected because of me. You remember he had nothing. He was dead. He was leaving the race. He begged me for an endorsement,” Trump claimed during an interview in February. “He said, ‘If you endorse me, I’ll win.’ And there were tears coming down from his eyes.”

DeSantis has refrained from directly attacking Trump, but said on Twitter during his 2024 presidential announcement that it’s time for the GOP to start winning again.

“We must end the culture of losing that has infected the Republican Party in recent years,” DeSantis declared. “The tired dogmas of the past are inadequate for a vibrant future. We must look forward — not backward.”

DeSantis Odds Lengthen

Political pundits believe the more Republican primary candidates the better for Trump, arguing that a crowded field will spread out the anti-Trump vote and allow the former casino magnate to prevail. Political bettors seem to agree, as DeSantis’ odds of securing the party’s presidential nomination continue to lengthen.

DeSantis’ shares of winning the GOP ticket on the betting exchange PredictIt have slid from 35 cents a week ago down to 29 cents as of Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, Trump’s shares have held steady at around 60 cents.

Pence and Scott have the next shortest odds at just six cents. Haley is at four cents, and Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin is at three cents. No other Republican has shares valued at more than a penny.

PredictIt redeems its markets by paying out $1 on winning shares.