In 2022, when DeSantis was at the peak of his political power and openly flirted with the possibility of running for president, he used his influence to begin transforming local school boards into much more conservative-leaning bodies, local media here highlight.

During the midterm elections that year, when DeSantis won re-election by a historic difference of almost 20 points, he backed 30 school board candidates, and only five lost, the reviews recall.

But now, after emerging from a failed bid for the GOP presidential nomination that tarnished his national reputation, DeSantis is finding the power of his Florida support waning and perhaps worsening things.

DeSantis reportedly endorsed 23 school board candidates in Tuesday’s primary, but about half of them did not win and six others were forced into runoffs.

While the governor remains popular in his increasingly red state, the primary losses are among the biggest statewide political hurdles he has faced in years.

DeSantis-backed candidates also suffered defeats in other races, while he has scored victories in some state legislative contests.

But the school board elections offer a snapshot of how the political dynamic has changed for him. Tuesday’s primary in the southern state decided key races for the November general election, including seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as key positions in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

In Miami-Dade County, incumbent Democratic Mayor Daniella Levine Cava defeated six opponents to secure re-election with more than 57 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff in November.

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