TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis nears the conclusion of his second term, he is promoting a possible successor for 2026: his wife, Casey DeSantis. Additionally, he has taken a jab at President Donald Trump‘s choice to succeed him as governor.
Speaking to reporters in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis highlighted his wife as a strong conservative who would continue his legacy and claimed that the state’s first lady could attract even more voters than he has. DeSantis achieved a significant reelection victory in 2022 with a nearly 20-point margin.
“She’s someone who possesses, I believe, the determination and commitment to conservative values,” DeSantis said regarding his wife. “Everything we’ve accomplished, she would elevate to the next level.”
These remarks came shortly after the president expressed his support for U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican who has been a prominent supporter of Trump during campaigns and on cable news.
“We’ve achieved significant victories in Florida,” DeSantis said on Monday. “A person like Byron, he hasn’t been part of any of the victories we’ve secured over the left in recent years.”
DeSantis’ statements hint at a possible confrontation between the Republican governor and the president who defeated him for the Republican presidential nomination last year. As DeSantis is term-limited, he may consider running for president again in 2028 and has been working on mending his relationship with Trump.
The ambitions of the state’s first lady have long been the talk of Tallahassee. Recent weeks have seen this speculation intensify as tensions have risen between the governor and Trump’s allies within the Florida Legislature.
“Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, if he decides to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote on social media Thursday. “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
Donalds’ office did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment. After Trump’s post, he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference last week and told attendees to “stay tuned” for updates on his future plans.
Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, another supporter of Trump, critiqued DeSantis’ remarks in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Man it hurts me to see this,” Gaetz expressed. “Governor DeSantis, don’t you recall when you, (Donalds), and I were collaborating to get you elected in 2018? We literally formed your debate prep team.”
___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover underreported issues.
