As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis nears the conclusion of his second term, he is hinting at who he believes should take over his role come 2026: his wife, Casey DeSantis. During an encounter with reporters in Tampa on Monday, Governor DeSantis praised his wife as a devoted conservative, stating she would build upon his achievements. He claimed that Casey DeSantis could potentially attract even more voters than himself, considering his significant reelection win in 2022 by almost 20 percentage points.
“She’s got what it takes, both the grit and dedication to conservative principles,” DeSantis said when speaking about his wife. “If there’s anything we’ve accomplished, she could elevate it even further.” His remarks emerged shortly after former President Donald Trump publicly supported U.S. Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, who has been a steadfast representative for Trump in various arenas.
On Monday, DeSantis highlighted the triumphs in Florida under his leadership, saying, “A guy like Byron, he hasn’t been part of the successes we’ve achieved against the left in recent years.” This statement sets the stage for a possible political confrontation between DeSantis and the former president who defeated him in last year’s Republican presidential nomination. Although term-limited, DeSantis might aim for a presidential run in 2028 and has been trying to mend his ties with Trump.
The ambitions of Florida’s first lady have been a topic of discussion within the state’s political circles, and this conversation has intensified as tension increases between DeSantis and Trump’s legislative allies in Florida. “Byron Donalds would be an exceptional governor for Florida, and should he choose to run, he will have my unwavering endorsement,” Trump declared on social media recently. “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
Byron Donalds, through his spokesperson, expressed on Tuesday his gratitude for Trump’s endorsement, acknowledging it as an honor. In a recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, shortly after Trump’s message, Donalds encouraged attendees to “stay tuned” for announcements on his future plans.
Meanwhile, former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, also a strong Trump supporter, criticized DeSantis’ remarks in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Gaetz nostalgically recalled their previous collaboration, stating, “Man it hurts me to see this. Governor DeSantis, don’t you remember when you, Byron, and I worked together to secure your election in 2018? We were part of your debate preparation team.”
