Florida Governor, Republican Ron DeSantis launches his US presidential campaign
In the United States, Florida Governor and Republican member Ron DeSantis officially launched his US presidential campaign by filing paperwork with federal election authorities.
DeSantis has for months been seen as the most serious challenger to former President Donald Trump who is also seeking to become the Republican nominee to take on Democratic President Joe Biden next year.
Other Republican candidates include Senator Tim Scott, former envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served under Trump is also likely to launch a presidential campaign.
Recent public opinion polls show DeSantis trailing Trump by a wide margin in a hypothetical primary showdown but with the former president facing legal trouble, including criminal charges in New York, the Florida governor will be hoping to close the gap in the coming months. The first Republican primaries will take place in Iowa early in 2024.
