Ron DeSantis repeatedly refuses to say whether he will serve full term amid 2024 speculation

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would not rule out a 2024 presidential election if he was pushed on the issue in a debate with Democrat Charlie Crist.

During the debate, Crist repeatedly urged the governor about his political ambitions and whether he would spend all four years of his term in office at the governor’s mansion.

“You’re running for governor,” Crist said. “And I have a question for you. …Why don’t you look into the eyes of the people of Florida you will serve all four years?’

“Will you serve a full four-year term?” he added.

DeSantis gasped at the question and took a long pause as the crowd erupted into applause over Crist’s question.

Crist continued, “Yes or no, Ron. Are you going to serve a full four-year term if you’re re-elected governor of Florida?’

During the debate, Crist repeatedly pressed the governor about his political ambitions and whether he would spend all four years of his term in office at the governor’s mansion.

After a moment of awkward silence, DeSantis replied, “Is it my time?”

Crist said, “It’s a fair question, he won’t tell you.”

Desantis replied, “Well, listen, I know Charlie is interested in talking about Joe Biden and 2024, but I want to make things very, very clear. The only worn-out old donkey I want to graze is Charlie Crist.’

The exchange came after back and forth about Florida’s economy, real estate markets and inflation. DeSantis sometimes tried to connect Crist to Biden’s energy policy.

According to FiveThirtyEight, DeSantis prefers to win reelection by eight points.

DeSantis’ fame began when he refused to follow public health guidelines. Lately it has become a frequent discussion with the Biden administration about everything from immigration to gender expression in classrooms.

DeSantis, Crist and their partners shake hands after the debate

A Vanity Fair report last month claimed that DeSantis has told those close to him that he thinks Trump is a “f***ing idiot” and would have no problem running against him in a primary.

An unnamed Republican source recalled telling donors: “[T]the only way to defeat Trump is to attack him head-on. He says he would turn to Trump during a debate and say, “Why didn’t you fire Fauci? You said you’d build the wall, but there’s no wall. Why is that?”

DeSantis’ rise from House of Representatives to governor of the third-largest state is widely attributed to Trump’s support. But today, love is not lost between the two — according to an excerpt from Maggie Haberman’s book “Confidence Man,” Trump has called DeSantis fat, “whiny,” and “fake.”