For DeSantis, Hurricane Idalia comes at a critical point in his campaign

Managing a major storm is historically a make-or-break moment for governors running for office, and Hurricane Idalia isn't likely to be an exception for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

Idalia, which whipped Florida's Big Bend with storm surges and powerful winds Wednesday, comes as DeSantis is struggling to make the case that the Republican presidential primary is a two-man race between him and former President Donald Trump. For DeSantis, whose campaign has burned through cash and whose poll numbers didn't benefit from last week's debate, the storm offers a chance to showcase his leadership skills on the national stage. The Florida governor has taken a break from the campaign trail to focus on managing the storm. 

How a governor or a president manages the fallout from a major storm can embed images and impressions in voters' minds for years to come.