Who will be the Republican nominee if it's not Trump or DeSantis?

[MarkD]

I think Ted Cruz, because of the GOP's habit of nominating the "runner-up" in the last open primary.

[Medal506]

I think Ted Cruz, because of the GOP's habit of nominating the "runner-up" in the last open primary.

He has a better chance at the nomination than most people think but he would lose to Biden in the general election.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Trump and DeSantis sitting out would leave the moderate lane wide open, so the nominee would most likely be whoever is able to consolidate that wing of the party.  Pompeo or Haley seems most likely, IMO
  

Neither Trump nor DeSantis are moderate.

They are moderate among the perspective of GOP voters, so Del Tachi is right. Occupying the moderate line doesn't mean you are a moderate, it just says you occupy that lane.

The GOP also changed, there is no "lane" for people like Hogan or Phil Scott for example. Trump's ideology is mainstream among GOP voters and he does well among GOP voters that identify as moderate.

Also yes i agree with Del Tachi's comment he replied to you.

[RussFeingoldWasRobbed]

Hot take-
If he wins the governorship, Mark Ronchetti is a dark horse

[Redban]

LION TED CALGARY CRUZ

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

How come Greg Abbott was never mentioned by anyone other than me? He’s DeSantis light so it only makes sense for him to be the nominee if neither Trump nor DeSantis run.

Republican primary voters like guys that can walk.

[Pyro]

It'd be an absolute toss-up, and throw the race to someone unexpected.

Youngkin is vastly overrated, here. Very reminiscent of 2010-era Scott Brown posts.

[TarHeelDem]

Tucker Carlson or another Trumpist who has never run for office before, likely with a significant media following or experience.

[Schiff for Senate]

Hot take: Youngkin, if he wants it. He has the most street cred when it comes to electability, since he flipped a Biden +10 state just a year later. That being said, if Youngkin doesn't run, I could see it being Abbott; he overturned Roe v. Wade, after all.

Perhaps, but he'd have to explain to the rabid MAGA base why he was lukewarm in his support of Trump during the general election (you know why, I know why, the rest of the forum knows why, and most of the rest of the country knows why, but I'm guessing a lot of these people won't / won't care).

[Forum explorer]

I think Ted Cruz, because of the GOP's habit of nominating the "runner-up" in the last open primary.

The runner up thing didn’t turn out so well for Rick Santorum