The race to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is already heating up…
Days after President Trump issued a preemptive endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds for governor DeSantis seemingly took an underhanded jab at the Congressman amid rumors his own wife, Casey DeSantis is planning a run for the office.
Speaking on Monday, the Florida governor reportedly snubbed Donalds for having spent time outside the state.
โByron hasnโt hasnโt been a part of any of the victories that weโve had here over the Left over these last years. Heโs been in other states campaigning,โ DeSantis said during a presser, according to Floridian Press reporter Liv Caputo.
In response to questions from reporters, DeSantis continued to praise his wife as a potential candidate, arguing โShe would do better than me. She has the dedication to conservative principles โ anything weโve accomplished, sheโd be able to take to the next level.โ
In a Thursday night Truth Social post, Trump gave Donalds his โComplete and Total Endorsementโ if he decides to run, promising the congressman would have a โBIG Voiceโ in pushing the MAGA agenda. (RELATED: Trump Preemptively Endorses Byron Donalds For Florida Governor)
โByron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,โ Trump wrote. โHe will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.โ
โRUN, BYRON, RUN!โ the president added.
According to a new pollย about potential gubernatorial candidates by The University of North Floridaโs Public Opinion Research Labย (PORL) 57% of Republicans had a favorable opinion ofย Casey DeSantisย โ a higher rating than other names floated as possible candidates.ย
“Casey DeSantis was the top early pick for potential Republican primary candidates when we asked back in late 2023, albeit with only 22% support,” said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science.
Overall, 30% of respondents were favorable of the first lady, 22% unfavorable and 33% had never heard of her, according to the poll, which was conducted from Feb. 5โ14.
“She likely enjoys some favorability by association as Floridaโs first lady,” Binder added, “but most of these potential candidates suffer from a lack of recognitionโsome suffering more than others. That said, I expect weโll see a few of them become household names by the time the August 2026 primary rolls around.”
The other speculative gubernatorial candidates included in the pollโs question included former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Sen. Ashley Moody, Rep. Byron Donalds and Florida commissioner of agriculture Wilton Simpson.
Most respondents said they never heard of Moody (54%), Donalds (66%) and Simpson (79%), though those familiar with them found Moody and Donalds more favorable than unfavorable, and Simpson was split at 4% in both categories, the poll found.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously shot down rumors surrounding a potential bid for office from his wife.
“If I had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate, I would say, I would characterize it as zero,” DeSantis told reporters in May. “But, you know, I think itโs because she has had a front row seat on all the nonsense that goes on when you do it.”