AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
- Ron DeSantis has sought to paint himself as a conservative without Donald Trump's political baggage.
- But DeSantis remains mired as Trump's distant second-place competitor in most national polls.
- Trump strategist Chris LaCivita told the Washington Post DeSantis' candidacy was like New Coke.
When Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida entered the GOP presidential primary, his candidacy was widely seen as the one with the most potential to dethrone former President Donald Trump's frontrunner status.