Photos: Ron DeSantis, presidential candidate
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves before speaking at a rally in Orlando in 2020.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images

In pictures: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Updated 2141 GMT (0541 HKT) January 3, 2024

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves before speaking at a rally in Orlando in 2020.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose clashes with Disney and aggressive pursuit of conservative victories has made him a leading Republican Party figure, is running for president.

He filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission ahead of a virtual announcement on Twitter's audio platform, Twitter Spaces, on Wednesday, May 24.

DeSantis has been Florida's governor since 2019, and he won a second term in November. He remains the top challenger to former President Donald Trump, at least according to public opinion polls

DeSantis, a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, started his career in the US Navy before moving into politics. He was elected to Congress in 2012 and served in the US House of Representatives until 2018.