Ron DeSantis Says 2026 Midterm Results Are Close To Extinction-Level Event For Republicans

DeSantis sounds alarm

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters that the 2026 midterm results were “close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country,” as Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. DeSantis said the losses could have consequences well beyond the next election cycle, affecting the next two, four or six years, and he warned that Democrats’ control of the Senate could make it difficult for President Donald Trump to confirm conservative Cabinet officials or a Supreme Court nominee if a vacancy arises. DeSantis also framed the national outcome as a “political equivalent of a meteor strike,” while he argued that Florida Republicans “held the line” against a nationwide “blue wave.”

Confirmations may be blocked3 of 7 outlets reported it · not in CNN and 3 more▾

DeSantis said Republicans would need time to recover from the election results and predicted “far more conflicts between Congress and the administration,” as he pointed to the shift in power in Washington. DeSantis said he would be replaced by fellow Republican Byron Donalds, who won the gubernatorial race against Democrat David Jolly, and he said he expects the GOP to struggle to regain unified control in Washington for years.

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Florida’s “line” and turnout

DeSantis credited Florida’s outcome to Amendment 3, saying “Had Amendment 3 not been on the ballot, I don’t know if we turn out the voters that we ended up turning out,” and he said voters wanted to vote yes on the measure before voting Republican later on down the ballot. DeSantis told reporters that “All statewide races … were held and won by our Republican candidates,” and he said there is “no other state that can say that, given all the carnage that was inflicted last night.” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the party acknowledged the results were not what it was hoping for, but she said the party made “significant gains” and notched wins including breaking the Republican supermajority in the state House.

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Fried said she hoped Republicans and national Democrats were “paying attention this morning,” because she said “Florida is worth investing in,” after the election sent a “very strong message” to her national counterparts. DeSantis also warned that “Nothing is guaranteed in this,” and he called the current period “very volatile,” while urging Florida Republicans to pay attention to changing voter concerns.

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What comes next

DeSantis said he intends to push forward with implementing Florida’s property tax amendment before leaving office, and he said the amendment provides homestead property tax relief while excluding school district taxes.

DeSantis insisted, “It’s not going to be a tax shift. It’s going to be a reduction,” and he said he wants lawmakers to prevent local governments from replacing lost property tax revenue with higher fees or other charges.

DeSantis said he would work with lawmakers to schedule a special legislative session and implement the amendment by Jan. 1, and he said he planned a taxpayer bill of rights and a state grant program to help local governments maintain essential services.

DeSantis also warned Republicans against ignoring technology and privacy concerns, saying “They're harvesting data about who's going through, they're giving it to private companies, they can create dossiers, they can sell the data,” as he criticized automated license plate readers.

DeSantis said he delivered sharp criticism of congressional Republicans over Epstein-related records and stock trading, and he warned that Republicans who dismiss voter concerns risk alienating voters.

Reporting for this sectionWEAR-TV