Courtesy: Joe Raedle/Getty Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
As his second term draws to a close, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is promoting his wife, Casey DeSantis, as a possible successor in 2026. Additionally, he is challenging President Donald Trump’s choice for the next governor.
In response to questions from reporters in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis contended that the state’s first lady might attract even more voters than he did and praised his wife as a fervent conservative who would carry on his legacy. In 2022, DeSantis won reelection by a landslide, by about 20 points.
Regarding his wife, DeSantis remarked, “I believe she has the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles.” “She would be able to go above and beyond anything we’ve achieved.”
The remarks were made just days after the president endorsed U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, a Republican from Florida who has served as a well-known stand-in for Trump on cable TV and the campaign trail.
“We’ve won in Florida,” DeSantis declared on Monday. “Someone like Byron simply hasn’t contributed to any of the victories we’ve had here over the left in recent years.”
DeSantis’ remarks set up a possible confrontation between the president, who defeated him handily in the previous year’s race for the Republican presidential nomination, and the Republican governor. Term-limited, DeSantis has attempted to mend his ties with Trump and could run for president again in 2028.
Parlor talk in Tallahassee has long focused on the goals of the state’s first lady. As tensions between the governor and Trump’s supporters in the Florida Legislature have increased in recent weeks, so has the volume of that conversation.
Trump posted on social media on Thursday, saying, “I fully and completely endorse Byron Donalds as a truly great and powerful governor for Florida, should he choose to run.” “BYRON, RUN, RUN!”
“I am honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement,” Donalds said in a statement released by a spokeswoman on Tuesday.
Following Trump’s statement, he spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week and encouraged the crowd to “stay tuned” for his next moves.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, another ardent Trump supporter, denounced DeSantis’ remarks.
“Man, seeing this hurts me,” Gaetz remarked. Don’t you recall, Governor DeSantis, how you, Donalds, and I collaborated to help you win the 2018 election? We served as your actual debate preparation team.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.