Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is already looking ahead to who could replace him when his second term ends in 2026—and he has a surprising pick in mind: his wife, Casey DeSantis.
During a press conference in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis praised the state’s first lady as a strong conservative who could build on his legacy. He even suggested she could pull in more voters than he did in his dominant 2022 reelection, where he won by nearly 20 points.
“She’s somebody that has, I think, the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles,” DeSantis said. “Anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”
DeSantis’ comments come just days after Donald Trump threw his support behind Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican and Trump loyalist who has been a major presence on the campaign trail.
“We’ve achieved victories in Florida,” DeSantis said, taking a jab at Donalds. “A guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years.”
Trump, on the other hand, is all in on Donalds, posting on social media:“
Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
