Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not rule out a 2028 presidential run during an appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles on Monday.

"You never know," the 47-year-old Republican said when asked about his plans after his term ends in January 2027. DeSantis then highlighted his accomplishments in office, positioning Florida as a model for GOP governance. He noted that the state had more registered Democrats than Republicans by 300,000 when he took office, but now boasts 1.5 million more Republicans. He also pointed to economic growth, with Florida's economy expanding from $1 trillion to $1.8 trillion under his leadership.

"We’ve got a good story to tell," DeSantis said. "We’re proud of the leadership we’ve been able to provide."

The comments come as DeSantis nears the end of his second term, term-limited from seeking reelection as governor. His political future has been the subject of speculation since he suspended his 2024 presidential campaign after placing second in the Iowa caucuses, more than 30 points behind former President Donald Trump. DeSantis endorsed Trump shortly after dropping out and has maintained an alliance since Trump returned to the White House.

Rumors have swirled that DeSantis could join the Trump administration in a Cabinet role, but he has remained publicly noncommittal. His remarks on Monday offer a preview of how he might pitch a second White House bid, emphasizing his record of transforming Florida's political and economic landscape.

This is not the first time DeSantis has left the door ajar for 2028. In a March interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, he responded "We'll see" to a direct question about running again. He argued that without Trump in the 2024 race, he would have captured about 90% of Trump's Iowa supporters, calling them conservative voters who preferred his approach.

The 2028 Republican primary field remains fluid, with jockeying to succeed President Trump expected to intensify after the 2026 midterms. Vice President JD Vance leads early hypothetical polls, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while DeSantis garners lower support in surveys from earlier this year.

DeSantis' tenure has solidified his conservative credentials, including policies on education, immigration, and economic development that have drawn national attention. With over a year until the primaries begin, his Monday comments signal he intends to stay in the conversation as a potential contender.