Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is weighing another presidential campaign in 2028 following sweeping Republican losses in the November 3 midterm elections, although he has not made a final decision about entering the race, according to people familiar with his thinking who spoke to ABC News.

DeSantis is reportedly monitoring the political environment to determine whether he could build a competitive campaign, establish a path to the Republican nomination and offer voters something different from other potential candidates. The Florida governor is also assessing whether there is an opening for him within the Republican Party as it confronts the consequences of its midterm setbacks.

The timing of a decision is becoming increasingly important. DeSantis is serving his second and final term as Florida governor, which ends in January 2027. Republican Byron Donalds won Tuesday's election to succeed him, leaving DeSantis preparing to depart the governor's office as the next presidential election cycle approaches.

Speaking at a news conference in Florida on November 4, DeSantis sharply criticized the Republican Party's national performance, describing the election results as "the political equivalent of a meteor strike." He warned that the party was facing a serious political crisis across much of the country, while arguing that Florida had largely avoided the same setbacks.

"This is close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country," DeSantis said.

He also described Florida as the party's last major political anchor and criticized Republican candidates for failing to communicate positive messages that connected with voters. His comments suggested that the GOP needs to reassess its political strategy rather than continue relying on messages that have struggled to attract support.

DeSantis had raised similar concerns before Election Day. During an interview with commentator Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM that aired November 2, he criticized Republicans who were unwilling to acknowledge economic pressures facing voters. Referring to higher gasoline prices amid the war with Iran, DeSantis argued that candidates who refuse to address the issue honestly risk losing credibility with the public.

"Gaslighting them, and they're not going to listen to you on other things," he said of Republicans who dismiss voters' concerns.

A potential 2028 campaign would represent DeSantis' second attempt to secure the Republican presidential nomination. His previous campaign ended on January 21, 2024, when he suspended his bid just two days before the New Hampshire primary and endorsed President Donald Trump. DeSantis had finished a distant second to Trump in the Iowa caucuses, losing by approximately 30 percentage points.

His 2024 campaign was marked by internal disagreements, significant spending and difficulties translating strong donor support into sustained voter enthusiasm. According to ABC News, DeSantis has taken two major lessons from that experience: he needs to engage in more media appearances and avoid waiting too long before entering the presidential race.

DeSantis has not announced a campaign or established a timetable for making his decision. However, his upcoming departure from Florida's governorship, combined with his criticism of the Republican Party's election performance, positions him as a potential contender in the early discussions surrounding the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.