Rumors have circulated for months that Casey DeSantis was planning to run for Governor when her husband’s term ends next year.
But Republican Congressman Byron Donalds recently tossed his hat into the 2026 Governor’s race.
And Casey DeSantis heard 10 words from Byron Donalds that gave her second thoughts about running for Governor.
There have only been two couples in American history where both the husband and wife served as Governor of their state.
George Wallace and his wife Lurleen both served as Governor of Alabama, and James Ferguson and his wife Miriam both served as Governor of Texas.
Ron and Casey DeSantis could become the third couple in history to both serve as Governor if she decides to run and wins the Republican Primary in 2026.
Ron DeSantis is wildly popular in Florida, but he is term-limited out of office at the end of 2026.
Under DeSantis’ leadership, Florida shifted from a swing state to a solid red state.
There are a million more registered Republicans in Florida than there are Democrats.
When DeSantis entered office in 2018, Democrats had 300,000 more registered voters than Republicans.
DeSantis’s wife, Casey, has always been active in his campaigns and administrations and is also very popular in Florida.
Rumors have circulated for months that Casey DeSantis was planning to run for Governor in 2026.
With her name recognition and popularity, Casey has been considered the front runner in the GOP gubernatorial primary.
That all changed recently when Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) declared himself a candidate for Governor with the full support of Donald Trump behind him.
But Casey DeSantis continues to make all the moves that indicate she is planning to run for Governor.
During an event last week, Casey DeSantis leaned on the wisdom of a baseball legend when asked if she plans to run for governor in 2026.
“To quote the late, great Yogi Berra, ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it,’” she told reporters at a press conference with her husband in Miami.
Ron DeSantis then said, “You guys can read into that what you want,” before adding that “I’ve had people coming up to me for years, begging to get her into the fray.”
On Sunday, Donalds appeared for an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures, where he discussed the Governor’s race.
“I remember back in 2018 campaigning for a then-Congressman DeSantis who had the support of Donald Trump, and that worked out great for our state,” Donalds said.
Trump’s endorsement in the 2018 Primary boosted Ron DeSantis in the Primary and catapulted him to victory that fall.
“Such a fantastic win for Ron DeSantis and the people of the Great State of Florida,” Trump wrote at the time. “Ron will be a fantastic Governor. On to November!”
Such a fantastic win for Ron DeSantis and the people of the Great State of Florida. Ron will be a fantastic Governor. On to November!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
Of course, DeSantis and Trump had a falling out in the 2024 Republican Primary.
And while they are not enemies, they are no longer close friends and allies.
Donalds mentioned he has Trump’s support.
“In 2025, moving into 2026, I’m really honored to have the same support from President Trump,” he said. “He has a history of making good picks,” he continued, before adding that “his picks have always worked out for the Sunshine State.”
“I’m happy to have President Trump’s support,” he added.
Trump and DeSantis are both very popular in Florida.
Trump won Florida by 13 points in November.
DeSantis won his reelection by 19 points in 2022.
Right now, no one knows if Casey DeSantis is running or not.
But it will turn into a knock-down, drag-out fight if she does run for Governor in 2026.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
