Will Casey DeSantis succeed her husband?

Article Published: FAMUAN

As Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race looms, speculation continues over whether Casey DeSantis, the wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis will enter the race. 

She was once considered a strong potential candidate.  However, recent polling suggests a shift in the Republican field. Byron Donalds, a Republican congressman from Naples, has gained national attention as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump.

He is a graduate of Florida State University and was elected to the U.S. House in 2020. Donalds became a prominent conservative voice and public supporter of Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. This helped to cement an endorsement from Trump, which helped him surge past Casey DeSantis in recent polling.

According to a Fabrizio Lee & Associates poll cited by FloridaPolitics.com, Donalds leads DeSantis 34 percent to 30 percent among Republican voters. This marks a notable shift from earlier polling, which showed DeSantis with a stronger initial lead. 

While Casey DeSantis has not officially announced a campaign, many speculate that her strong ties to Florida politics and her work as the state’s first lady could make her a contender. 

Donalds has not directly commented on the possibility of facing Casey DeSantis in a primary, but he has emphasized his belief that Florida voters want a leader who aligns closely with Trump’s agenda.

“We need a governor who will continue putting ‘America First’ policies at the forefront,” Donalds said at a recent campaign stop. “I believe Floridians are looking for someone who understands that.”

Although weeks have gone by with no official statement from Desantis on whether or not she would run, according to NBC, Ron DeSantis’ team has contacted lobbyists to not put their eggs into one basket when supporting Donalds. 

The race also reflects broader divisions within the Florida Republican Party. Some conservatives remain loyal to the DeSantis brand, while others have gravitated toward Trump-backed candidates like Donalds. 

Zac Poore, president of the Florida State University Republican Club, acknowledged the internal divide.

“I don’t want to say the party’s split between DeSantis people and Trump people, but there definitely is kind of a divide,” Poore said. “And Donalds does a lot with Trump, and with Trump being in office right now, I think he would be a good governor.”

For now, Casey DeSantis remains a wildcard. While some still see her as a viable candidate, the shifting landscape suggests she may face an uphill battle against Donalds and other contenders. As the field continues to take shape, Florida Republicans will watch closely to see how the competition unfolds, and whether the DeSantis name still holds the same political weight it once did.