Ron DeSantis says midterm losses were like 'extinction-level event' for Republicans

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Outgoing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a blunt and sobering assessment of his party's performance in the midterm elections, saying the shellacking Republicans took on Tuesday practically amounted to an "extinction-level event" and declaring his state, in which Republicans won all of their key races, was the model for the party going forward. 

“Let’s be clear about what happened last night,” DeSantis said at a press conference Wednesday. “This is as close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country as we’ve seen probably in the last 100 years. Out of the 10 largest states in this union, only one state will have Republican control of their state, the state of Florida."

Previously, in posts on social media, DeSantis had warned about the implications for the remaining two years of President Trump's second term. "Chance of confirming a worthy successor to Justice Thomas and/or Alito during President Trump’s term: Zero," he wrote in a post on X late Tuesday night as it was becoming clear Democrats would take control of the House and Senate when the next Congress is sworn in. Thomas and Alito, 78 and 76, respectively, are the court's two oldest justices and Alito has hinted at the possibility of retirement. 

"This is probably the political worst-case scenario for a midterm election," DeSantis said Wednesday.

DeSantis also pointed to the critical losses Republicans suffered in Texas where James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton to become the first Democrat to win a statewide senate race in the Lone Star State since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa toppled Republican Gov. Greg Abbott as well in Texas. "Over my lifetime, Texas has been the crown jewel of Republican politics," the governor lamented, almost sounding like he was laying the groundwork for a 2028 White House run. In fact, prediction markets showed his 2028 chances spike after the midterm outcome. 

He further emphasized that of the 10 largest states in the U.S., only one -- Florida -- will have a Republican governor, Byron Donalds, who won on Tuesday. Watch DeSantis' sobering remarks below.