SUMMARY: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launched his campaign to be President, presenting himself as a no-nonsense, anti-woke alternative to former President Donald Trump. DeSantis spent most of the year in early voting states where he must prove that he can engage in the retail politics necessary to attract primary voters.
CAPTION: Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, hands 14-month-old Lindly back to her mother Madi King of Newton, Iowa, after being handed the child during a campaign event at Sun Valley Barn in Pella, Iowa, US, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. DeSantis is kicking off his 2024 Republican presidential campaign this week with a trip to early voting states where he must prove that he can engage in the retail politics necessary to attract primary voters and show he's a credible alternative to Donald Trump.