Is Ron DeSantis the Future of the Republican Party?

"He watches Trump like a hawk."

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story September 16, 2022 For years, Democrats have worried about the prospect of a more disciplined heir to Trump. In Ron DeSantis, Florida's pugilistic governor, that candidate may have arrived. DeSantis's recent history is a whir of nominally risky choices — expert-snubbing Covid policies, an uppercut at one of his state's largest private employers, a long-shot bid for the office he holds — that have turned to pure political upside. For this week's cover story, Matt Flegenheimer conducted an extensive examination of his life and record, across more than 100 interviews with aides, allies, antagonists and peers. "You have a moment," Casey DeSantis, his wife and closest adviser, has said privately in recent months. Does the DeSantis family think this moment is theirs? Photo illustration by Jamie Chung for The New York Times Is Ron DeSantis the Future of the Republican Party? For years, Democrats have worried about the prospect of a more disciplined heir to Trump. In Florida's pugilistic governor, that candidate may have arrived. By Matt Flegenheimer Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe Today We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer. MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE What a High-Risk Pregnancy Looks Like After Dobbs The photographer Stephanie Sinclair captured the newly unsettled world inside the Cleveland Clinic, where Ohio's abortion laws have drastically changed maternal care. By Stephanie Sinclair and Jaime Lowe Illustration by Somnath Bhatt The Search for Intelligent Life Is About to Get a Lot More Interesting There are an estimated 100 billion galaxies in the universe, home to an unimaginable abundance of planets. And now there are new ways to spot signs of life on them. By Jon Gertner Naila Ruechel for The New York Times How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning The novelist Yiyun Li, known for her powerful distillations of personal grief, makes art from subverted expectations. By Alexandra Kleeman Photo illustration by Bráulio Amado Talk Nick Cave Lost Two Sons. His Fans Then Saved His Life. "People say, How can you go on tour?," says the musician and co-author of a new book, "For me it's the other way around. How could I not?" By David Marchese Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter (@NYTmag) or check us out on Instagram. Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018