Republican Ron DeSantis was re-elected governor of Florida on Tuesday, setting him up for a possible presidential run in 2024.
Mr DeSantis, who won office by less than half a percentage point four years ago, easily defeated Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor who switched parties and won a congressional seat as a Democrat.
Mr DeSantis, 44, is widely expected to seek the Republican nomination for the White House in 2024.
That likelihood has already drawn the ire of Republican former President Donald Trump, 76.
Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis
Reuters
Mr DeSantis was re-elected governor of Florida and told cheering supporters that he had just 'begun to fight.'
MARCO BELLO
Mr DeSantis told cheering supporters at an election night party in Tampa that he had just "begun to fight."
He added: "Well thank you so much. You know, over these past four years, we've seen major challenges for the people of our state, for the citizens of the United States.
"And, above all, for the cause of freedom. We saw freedom and our very way of life in so many other jurisdictions in this country wither on the vine. Florida held the line."
The re-election sets Mr DeSantis up for a possible presidential run in 2024.
While the victory comes just hours after Mr Trump sent a warning to Mr DeSantis over running for presidency, saying: "I don't know if he is running. I think if he runs, he could hurt himself very badly.”
Before the former US President added to Fox: “I really believe he could hurt himself badly.
“I don't think it would be good for the party."
Mr Trump continued: “If he did run, I will tell you things about him that won’t be very flattering. I know more about him than anybody other than perhaps his wife, who is really running his campaign.
“Any of that stuff is not good – you have other people that possibly will run, I guess. I don’t know if he runs. If he runs, he runs.”
Mr Trump has previously nicknamed the Florida governor Ron De-Sanctimonious.
While Mr Trump said earlier this week he would make a major announcement next Tuesday, when he is widely expected to declare his candidacy