JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida’s First Lady, Casey DeSantis, is reportedly contemplating a bid for governor in 2026, spurred by encouragement from top Republican donors, according to NBC News. While speculation about her political ambitions has circulated for years, recent discussions at a donor event in Palm Beach County suggest the possibility is becoming more concrete, five people directly familiar with the donor event and DeSantis' thought process told NBC News.
According to NBC News, Republican donors openly discussed her potential candidacy last week.
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“I have heard donors have been urging her to run and that while it’s not something she has wanted to do, they are causing her to at least stop and listen,” a source familiar with her thinking said.
The Florida Constitution bars Gov. Ron DeSantis from seeking a third consecutive term, creating an open race for the 2026 Republican primary.
Casey DeSantis, a former television personality who worked at News4JAX and a significant figure in her husband’s political ascent, has previously dismissed the idea of her own political career.
In May, she remarked on the Conservative Review podcast, “When people talk about me running for governor, I think it speaks highly about the governor himself.”
Last year, Gov. DeSantis downplayed the notion, stating at an event in Coral Gables that his wife had “zero” interest in running.
Despite her previous denials, her potential candidacy could significantly impact Florida’s political scene.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has expressed interest in running and a poll released in January showed that Donalds has a big advantage over other prospective candidates, though Casey DeSantis was not included in that poll.
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is also considered a contender.
A potential race featuring Casey DeSantis and Donalds could set the stage for a proxy battle between Trump and Gov. DeSantis, whose relationship has been strained since their 2024 presidential primary clash.
Polling released by FAU in 2024 showed her leading in a hypothetical Republican matchup against embattled politician Matt Gaetz, and her role as a high-profile advocate for health and family-focused initiatives has bolstered her name recognition. However, whether she ultimately decides to run remains uncertain.
News4JAX reached out to the Republican Party of Florida for comment and will update this story if they provide a statement.
