Casey DeSantis weighs 2026 Florida governor bid amid donor pressure
Annapurna Rai | Feb 07, 2025, 22:01 IST
( Image credit : Getty Images )
Casey DeSantis, wife of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, is contemplating a 2026 gubernatorial run, influenced by top Republican donors. Her potential candidacy may reignite tensions within the Republican Party, especially given the interest of Trump ally Representative Byron Donalds in the race.
The political landscape in Florida is shifting as Casey DeSantis, wife of Governor Ron DeSantis, is seriously considering a run for governor in 2026. Long rumored as a potential candidate, her prospects are gaining momentum, fueled by encouragement from top Republican donors who see her as a formidable contender.
At a recent donor gathering in Palm Beach County, discussions about Casey DeSantis entering the race took center stage. While speculation about her political aspirations has circulated for years, sources familiar with the event and her thought process suggest she is now taking the idea more seriously than ever before.
“I have heard donors urging her to run, and while it’s not something she has previously wanted to do, they are giving her reason to stop and listen,” said one individual close to the discussions.
Her entrance into the race would have significant ramifications, not just for Florida politics but on a national scale. With Governor Ron DeSantis unable to seek re-election due to term limits, the 2026 race is already shaping up to be highly competitive. If Casey DeSantis enters the fray, it could set up a proxy battle between her husband and former President Donald Trump, further reigniting tensions from the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Currently, Representative Byron Donalds, a staunch Trump ally, is the only Republican who has openly expressed interest in running. His candidacy, if backed by Trump, could turn the race into a high-stakes showdown between two powerful conservative factions.
“It is a real possibility,” said a source familiar with Casey DeSantis’ deliberations. However, they added that while the prospect is gaining traction, it remains uncertain whether she will ultimately decide to run.
The speculation about her political future has been so persistent that Casey DeSantis addressed it directly during an interview last May. “When people talk about me running for governor, I think it speaks highly about the governor himself,” she said on the Conservative Review podcast. “People are so happy about everything that he has done for the state of Florida.”
Alongside Donalds, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is also rumored to be considering a bid. Though he lacks the national recognition of Casey DeSantis or Donalds, he is a well-established figure in state politics with a substantial war chest of over $30 million from past fundraising efforts.
A Casey DeSantis candidacy would bring unique dynamics to the race. As Florida’s first lady, she has played a highly visible role in shaping policy initiatives, particularly in areas such as mental health and disaster response. Her deep ties to Governor DeSantis’ administration and her media-savvy presence could give her a significant advantage.
If she runs, the race will almost certainly be seen as a continuation of the rivalry between Governor DeSantis and Trump. Once close allies, their relationship soured during the 2024 Republican presidential primary when DeSantis challenged Trump for the nomination. While their rapport has since improved, a showdown between Casey DeSantis and a Trump-backed candidate like Donalds would once again test the balance of power within the Republican Party in Florida.
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, all eyes are on Casey DeSantis. Whether she takes the plunge into electoral politics remains to be seen, but her potential candidacy is already reshaping the conversation about the future of Florida’s Republican leadership.
At a recent donor gathering in Palm Beach County, discussions about Casey DeSantis entering the race took center stage. While speculation about her political aspirations has circulated for years, sources familiar with the event and her thought process suggest she is now taking the idea more seriously than ever before.
“I have heard donors urging her to run, and while it’s not something she has previously wanted to do, they are giving her reason to stop and listen,” said one individual close to the discussions.
Her entrance into the race would have significant ramifications, not just for Florida politics but on a national scale. With Governor Ron DeSantis unable to seek re-election due to term limits, the 2026 race is already shaping up to be highly competitive. If Casey DeSantis enters the fray, it could set up a proxy battle between her husband and former President Donald Trump, further reigniting tensions from the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Currently, Representative Byron Donalds, a staunch Trump ally, is the only Republican who has openly expressed interest in running. His candidacy, if backed by Trump, could turn the race into a high-stakes showdown between two powerful conservative factions.
“It is a real possibility,” said a source familiar with Casey DeSantis’ deliberations. However, they added that while the prospect is gaining traction, it remains uncertain whether she will ultimately decide to run.
The speculation about her political future has been so persistent that Casey DeSantis addressed it directly during an interview last May. “When people talk about me running for governor, I think it speaks highly about the governor himself,” she said on the Conservative Review podcast. “People are so happy about everything that he has done for the state of Florida.”
Alongside Donalds, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is also rumored to be considering a bid. Though he lacks the national recognition of Casey DeSantis or Donalds, he is a well-established figure in state politics with a substantial war chest of over $30 million from past fundraising efforts.
A Casey DeSantis candidacy would bring unique dynamics to the race. As Florida’s first lady, she has played a highly visible role in shaping policy initiatives, particularly in areas such as mental health and disaster response. Her deep ties to Governor DeSantis’ administration and her media-savvy presence could give her a significant advantage.
If she runs, the race will almost certainly be seen as a continuation of the rivalry between Governor DeSantis and Trump. Once close allies, their relationship soured during the 2024 Republican presidential primary when DeSantis challenged Trump for the nomination. While their rapport has since improved, a showdown between Casey DeSantis and a Trump-backed candidate like Donalds would once again test the balance of power within the Republican Party in Florida.
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, all eyes are on Casey DeSantis. Whether she takes the plunge into electoral politics remains to be seen, but her potential candidacy is already reshaping the conversation about the future of Florida’s Republican leadership.