Ron DeSantis enters 2024 presidential race

1978: Born to parents of Italian descent in Jacksonville, Florida

1997-2003: Studies history at Yale, going on to graduate with honours from Harvard Law School

2004: Commissioned into U.S. Navy – service includes work with Guantanamo Bay detainees and assignment as legal adviser for elite Navy Seals in Iraq

2010: Marries TV reporter Casey Black (right) – couple have three children

2011: Becomes federal prosecutor after end of active naval service
 
2012: Elected to House of Representatives. Co-founds “Freedom Caucus” of hard-right conservatives

2019: Becomes governor of Florida after election campaign fully endorsed by then-President Donald Trump

2020: Covid-19 pandemic – DeSantis controversially lifts restrictions much earlier than other state governors

Mar 2022: “Don’t Say Gay” bill, banning discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, sparks legal battle between Disney and DeSantis

Apr: Signs bill allowing gun owners to carry guns in public without government-issued permit
 
Sep: Accused of “weaponising” migrants after flying undocumented immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard – liberal enclave in Massachusetts
 
Nov 8: Re-elected as Florida governor in landslide victory
 
Apr 2023: Signs “Heartbeat Protection Act”, banning most abortions after six weeks
 
May 24: DeSantis announces presidential bid in online appearance with Twitter CEO Elon Musk

 Sources: Reuters, BBC Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS