DeSantis calls midterm bloodbath an ‘extinction-level event for Republicans’

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the GOP's stunning midterm election wipeout a "close to an extinction-level event for Republicans across the country" during a Wednesday morning press conference in Tallahassee, as the party searches for a post-blowout path forward.

"Let's just be clear, that is going to hurt — not just for the next two years," he said. "That is something that can reverberate for the next decade or more. … We knew it could be worse. I don't think most of us thought it would be this bad."

Democrats seized control of Congress Tuesday night in a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump's second term, flipping seat after seat in long-time Republican strongholds like Iowa, Kansas and Texas. But Florida was the rare red state where Republicans did not get totally blown out, winning the two statewide races by closer than expected margins.

"Over my lifetime, Texas has been the crown jewel of Republican politics," DeSantis said. "No one holds a candle on the Republican side to the Lone Star State. … If the Republican party doesn't have Texas as an anchor we won't be viable nationally going forward."

But DeSantis also defended the GOP's victories in Florida, where state Republicans fended off a blue wave; Byron Donalds won the gubernatorial race, while Ashley Moody defended her Senate seat.

"I don't think there is any other state that can say that, given all the carnage that was inflicted last night," DeSantis said.