This Trump endorsement blindsided Casey DeSantis with devastating poll numbers in the Florida Governor’s race

Casey DeSantis was cruising to victory in Florida’s Republican Primary for Governor polls.

Then Donald Trump stepped in and changed everything.

And this Trump endorsement blindsided Casey DeSantis with devastating poll numbers in the Florida Governor’s race.

Trump endorsement dramatically shifted the race

First Lady Casey DeSantis and Congressman Byron Donalds were neck and neck in the latest poll for Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

But when Republican voters learned that President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds, the race wasn’t even close anymore.

A new James Madison Institute poll shows that when Republican voters were informed of Trump’s endorsement, Donalds’ support skyrocketed to 44% while DeSantis plummeted to just 25%.

The bombshell numbers revealed that Trump’s backing carries massive weight with Republican voters – but half of Florida Republicans weren’t even aware that Trump had already endorsed Donalds.

“Trump’s endorsement carries huge weight among Republican voters, but half (didn’t) know it happened” until they were told, according to the James Madison Institute’s press release.

Poll shows a dramatic shift in just one month

The poll, conducted between May 5 and 7, showed Casey DeSantis and Byron Donalds statistically tied when voters weren’t informed about Trump’s endorsement – with DeSantis at 29% and Donalds at 28%.

Both candidates far outpaced former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz at 10% and former Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez at just 7%.

But the race has tightened significantly in just one month. 

In April, DeSantis led Donalds 28% to 22%.

The First Lady’s position has weakened as she and her husband, Governor Ron DeSantis, face troubling allegations about her signature Hope Florida initiative. 

A GOP-led Florida House panel and news outlets have been investigating a $10 million donation to the program’s fundraising arm that may have been improperly diverted.

The DeSantises have denied any wrongdoing.

Voters hold mixed views of potential candidates

The poll also revealed that Florida voters have complicated feelings about both frontrunners.

Casey DeSantis has higher name recognition but also higher negative ratings. 

About 38% of all Florida voters view her favorably, including 60% of Republicans. 

But 31% view her unfavorably, with 22% holding very unfavorable opinions.

Meanwhile, 26% of voters have a favorable opinion of Donalds, including 38% of Republicans. 

Only 13% view him unfavorably, with a mere 4% of Republican voters thinking negatively of the Congressman.

However, Donalds remains less known to voters overall, with 37% saying they are unfamiliar with him, compared to just 9% who are unaware of DeSantis.

The Trump factor could decide the race

The poll makes one thing crystal clear – President Trump’s endorsement is the most powerful force in Republican politics in Florida.

A whopping 65% of Republican voters say they would think more highly of a candidate with Trump’s endorsement. 

But the poll also showed that only 38% of Republicans were aware of Trump’s endorsement of Donalds, while 50% were not aware.

This information gap could be the key factor in the race. 

As more Republican voters learn about Trump’s support for Donalds, his lead could continue to grow.

In hypothetical general election matchups, both Republican frontrunners currently lead potential Democrat nominee Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. 

Donalds leads Levine Cava 38% to 34%, while DeSantis leads her 39% to 35%.

Casey DeSantis has remained coy about her intentions, only saying “we’ll see” when asked if she would run. 

Her husband previously downplayed speculation about her candidacy, telling Fox News in February that it’s “not something that she’s seeking out… but it’s flattering.”

Meanwhile, Donalds has officially declared his candidacy and is aggressively campaigning with Trump’s backing.

Economic issues dominate voter concerns

Beyond the horse race, the James Madison Institute poll revealed that economic concerns continue to dominate voters’ minds. 

Rising costs of living topped the list at 58%, followed by homeowners’ insurance (23%), housing costs (21%), and high taxes (17%).

The poll also found that Floridians are split on President Trump’s tariff strategy, with 44% supporting it but 79% worried about rising consumer prices due to the policy.