Former President Trump’s close ally just weighed in on Florida’s next political battle.
Casey DeSantis could be gearing up for a major announcement.
And Matt Gaetz just dropped a bombshell prediction about Casey DeSantis that Florida voters need to hear.
Matt Gaetz sees Casey DeSantis as an “absolute force” in Florida politics
Former GOP Representative Matt Gaetz set Florida political circles buzzing when he publicly declared that Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis would be an “absolute force” if she entered the 2026 gubernatorial race.
“If @CaseyDeSantis announced tomorrow she was running for Governor she would be an absolute force – and probably the instant frontrunner,” Gaetz posted on X alongside a video of the First Lady speaking.
If @CaseyDeSantis announced tomorrow she was running for Governor she would be an absolute force – and probably the instant frontrunner.
If you don’t believe me, watch this performance 👇
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) May 14, 2025
His high-profile endorsement comes as speculation intensifies about who will succeed Governor Ron DeSantis when his second term ends in 2026.
Casey DeSantis, despite never holding elected office, has become a political powerhouse in the Sunshine State.
She played a crucial role in her husband’s successful gubernatorial campaigns and maintained a highly visible presence during his 2024 presidential run.
Her potential candidacy has been the subject of intense speculation for months, with many Florida Republicans viewing her as the natural successor to continue her husband’s conservative legacy.
Early polling shows Casey with strong Republican support
The numbers don’t lie – Casey DeSantis already commands impressive support among Florida Republicans.
A February 2025 poll by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab found Casey DeSantis leading all potential Republican contenders, including Gaetz himself, Representative Byron Donalds, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
The poll revealed that 57% of Republican voters view Casey favorably, putting her 12 percentage points ahead of Gaetz in the early field.
However, more recent polling indicates the race could tighten considerably, especially with the weight of a Donald Trump endorsement behind another candidate.
An early May poll by the conservative James Madison Institute showed Donalds leading Casey DeSantis 44% to 25% among Republican voters – but only after respondents were told Trump had endorsed Donalds.
Before learning about Trump’s endorsement, the two were statistically tied, with Casey at 29% and Donalds at 28%.
This dramatic shift demonstrates the significant influence Trump’s endorsement still carries in Florida Republican politics.
Casey DeSantis plays coy about her political future
Despite the growing buzz around her potential candidacy, Casey DeSantis has remained deliberately ambiguous about her political plans.
At a recent event at a Brandon church in Hillsborough County, she addressed the speculation without making any firm commitments.
“I get why this is a big conversation,” she acknowledged. “But I can also say it’s more than a year away from qualifying. I mean, I think we need to be thinking about what people put people in office to do, to try to make sure that they’re delivering on the promises that they told the people that they were going to do when they first got elected.”
During the event, she also referred to her husband as “The GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) and suggested that his successor should be “in the mold of a DeSantis who’s willing to get out there and fight.”
Her comments have fueled speculation that Governor DeSantis is seeking a candidate he can fully support to maintain his legacy – someone other than Donalds, who already has Trump’s endorsement.
Casey faces headwinds amid Hope Florida controversy
Casey DeSantis’s potential gubernatorial bid hasn’t been without challenges.
Her signature Hope Florida charity program has come under intense scrutiny following reports that the foundation moved a $10 million “donation” from a healthcare company to political committees opposing recreational marijuana legalization in Florida.
At the Brandon church event, Casey forcefully defended the program against what she called “slanderous false accusations.”
“We are not going to be dissuaded by the critics who have been captivated by willful ignorance, and we will not allow any politics to drown out the voices of families who have told us over and over for the first time that they feel a sense of hope,” she declared.
Governor DeSantis has also pushed back against criticism, dismissing negative media coverage as “concocted hoaxes” from “discredited outlets.”
Despite these controversies, Casey DeSantis remains a formidable potential candidate with significant advantages.
Her name recognition, built-in fundraising networks, and statewide visibility would give her campaign an immediate boost if she decides to run.
Before entering politics through her husband, Casey worked as a local news anchor, reporter, and television personality, giving her valuable media experience and communications skills that could serve her well on the campaign trail.
As the 2026 race begins to take shape, all eyes will be on Casey DeSantis to see if she’ll step out from behind the scenes to claim the political spotlight for herself.
