DeSantis Floats Wife Casey as Florida Governor Amid Trump Pick

DeSantis Floats Wife Casey as Florida Governor Amid Trump Pick \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis nears the end of his second term, he is promoting his wife, Casey DeSantis, as a potential successor in 2026, directly challenging Trump’s endorsement of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. Speaking in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis said his wife would expand on his conservative policies, while dismissing Donalds as not having been part of Florida’s Republican victories. The potential showdown pits DeSantis against Trump once again, as tensions continue to simmer between the governor and the former president’s allies in Florida.

Florida Governor Race 2026: Quick Looks

• DeSantis Promotes His Wife: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Casey DeSantis would “take his legacy to the next level.”
• Trump Endorses Byron Donalds: Trump calls Donalds a “Great and Powerful Governor” and urges him to “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
• DeSantis Dismisses Donalds’ Role: Says Donalds hasn’t contributed to Florida’s GOP victories in recent years.
• Potential DeSantis-Trump Showdown: Trump and DeSantis clash again over Florida’s GOP future, despite DeSantis trying to mend ties.
• Matt Gaetz Fires Back: The Trump ally reminds DeSantis that Donalds helped him win in 2018.
• Speculation Over Casey DeSantis: The Florida first lady’s political future gains national attention.
• Donalds Teases a Run: At CPAC, he tells the audience to “stay tuned” about his plans.
• What’s Next? If Donalds enters the race, Florida’s 2026 GOP primary could become another battleground between Trump and DeSantis.

Deep Look

The battle for Florida’s next governor is heating up early, with Ron DeSantis pushing his wife, Casey DeSantis, as a potential successor in 2026—a move that directly challenges former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

DeSantis, who is term-limited and potentially eyeing a 2028 presidential run, made his position clear during a Monday press conference in Tampa, touting Casey’s conservative credentials while casting doubt on Donalds’ contributions to Florida’s GOP dominance.

DeSantis: Casey DeSantis Would “Take It to the Next Level”

Speaking to reporters, DeSantis praised his wife as a strong conservative leader, saying she could expand on his policies and bring even more Republican voters into the fold.

“She’s somebody that has, I think, the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles,” DeSantis said. “Anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

His remarks came just days after Trump publicly backed Donalds, setting up an early proxy battle between the two GOP heavyweights.

Trump Endorses Donalds, Urges Him to Run

In a Thursday social media post, Trump threw his full support behind Byron Donalds, who has been a top Trump surrogate on the campaign trail and a frequent defender of the former president on cable news.

“Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote. “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

While Donalds has not officially entered the race, he hinted at a possible campaign during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week, telling the audience to “stay tuned” regarding his future plans.

A Renewed DeSantis-Trump Rivalry?

The DeSantis-Donalds split is more than just a battle for Florida’s governorship—it represents another chapter in the ongoing power struggle between DeSantis and Trump.

After a bitter primary battle last year, in which Trump crushed DeSantis in the 2024 Republican nomination fight, the Florida governor has been trying to rebuild his relationship with Trump and his base.

However, his public challenge to Trump’s preferred Florida gubernatorial candidate suggests lingering tensions, especially as Trump’s allies in the state legislature have increasingly clashed with DeSantis.

DeSantis Dismisses Donalds’ Impact in Florida

In Monday’s press conference, DeSantis downplayed Donalds’ role in Florida’s Republican successes, saying:

“We’ve achieved victories in Florida. A guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years.”

The comment signals DeSantis’ attempt to undercut Donalds’ credibility as a top conservative leader in Florida, despite the congressman’s close ties to Trump and national prominence within the Republican Party.

Matt Gaetz and Trump Allies Push Back Against DeSantis

DeSantis’ remarks immediately drew criticism from Trump loyalists, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, a staunch ally of the former president.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Gaetz expressed disappointment, recalling how he, Donalds, and DeSantis worked together in 2018 when DeSantis first ran for governor.

“Man, it hurts me to see this,” Gaetz wrote. “Governor DeSantis, don’t you remember when you, (Donalds), and I were working collaboratively to get you elected in 2018? We literally were your debate prep team.”

This underscores a growing divide between DeSantis and key Trump figures, as many in Trump’s circle continue to support Donalds over the governor’s push for his wife as a candidate.

Casey DeSantis’ Political Aspirations Gain Attention

The idea of Casey DeSantis running for office has long been a topic of speculation in Tallahassee, with many viewing her as one of her husband’s most trusted advisors and political assets.

A former television journalist, Casey DeSantis has played a prominent role in Ron DeSantis’ administration, spearheading initiatives on mental health, veterans’ issues, and disaster relief efforts.

Her high-profile presence in Florida politics has led to speculation about her own ambitions, and with DeSantis touting her as his potential successor, the discussion has now moved into the spotlight.

Who Else Could Enter the 2026 Race?

Beyond Donalds and Casey DeSantis, other Florida Republicans may throw their hats in the ring:

• Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez has long been seen as a potential successor but has stayed quiet about 2026.
• State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a DeSantis ally, has hinted at considering a run.
• Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has been rumored as a possible candidate, though he remains closely tied to Trump’s camp.

What’s Next?

• Byron Donalds will likely announce his decision soon, as Trump’s endorsement puts pressure on him to run.
• Casey DeSantis’ political future remains uncertain, but her husband’s public backing could accelerate her entry into the race.
• The Trump-DeSantis rivalry may resurface, depending on how Florida Republicans react to DeSantis’ rejection of Trump’s pick.

With Trump’s endorsement power still unmatched and DeSantis’ influence in Florida remaining strong, the 2026 governor’s race is already shaping up to be one of the most watched primaries in the country.

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