The markets that outlets say got the midterms right are now pushing Ron DeSantis up for 2028.
Markets credited with calling the map
CNBC reported that prediction markets correctly forecast Democrats would secure at least 53 seats in the Senate while “steamrolling the Republicans in the House.” Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan said, “It’s now routinely hours between when prediction markets call it versus the TV networks,” adding, “No knock to them, but now there’s Polymarket, and many people are realizing they want to know what’s happening in real time.”
Odds swing toward DeSantis
According to Townhall, prediction markets are riding a “Ron wave” after Florida stood out as a rare Republican stronghold. The Western Journal’s summary of market boards said websites such as Kalshi and Polymarket downgraded J.D. Vance’s odds of becoming the 2028 GOP nominee while DeSantis gained ground. On Kalshi specifically, the article stated Vance fell eight points to 27 percent, DeSantis rose from 4.4 percent to 19 percent, and Marco Rubio dropped to 21 percent.
What DeSantis is saying
As noted by Action Network, DeSantis argued that Republicans lost ground with voters on issues including a foreign conflict’s impact on gasoline prices. “We just got to be honest. Gas is higher. It hurts people, working-class people, and it’s higher because of this conflict. That’s just a fact,” he said. The article also said he argued Republicans are out of sync with voters on support for data centers and artificial intelligence.
2028 chatter intensifies
Politico quoted conservative radio host Jenna Ellis saying, “This is DeSantis’ time,” and adding that he is “neither MAGA nor establishment” and has criticized both while remaining “strong and principled.”
The Miami Herald wrote that “Tuesday night’s elections pulled DeSantis away from lame-duck limbo and thrust him into wall-to-wall national media speculation that he will run for president again,” noting he has not ruled out another campaign. The outlet added, “His political capital to mount such a run shifted overnight. Instead of the governor who went against Trump and failed, he’s now the face of the final large GOP stronghold state left standing ahead of a 2028 presidential run with difficult electoral math for Republicans.”
Calls for a GOP reset
Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said the party needs broad changes, according to Fox News: “Republicans need to simplify their message. They need to be message discipline like Democrats were in this cycle. And then they got to find young, articulate, attractive candidates like the Democrats have found.”
