Florida Governor DeSantis Suggests His Wife as Potential Successor
Governor Ron DeSantis expressed confidence that his wife, Casey DeSantis, would secure victory in Florida if she decided to run.
On February 24, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis refrained from endorsing Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) as his successor while praising his wife, Casey DeSantis, for the potential role.
When asked about his opinion on Donalds, DeSantis remarked that President Donald Trump had only recently assumed office and emphasized the necessity of having every Republican in Congress support him.
“I want these congressmen focused on implementing his agenda. They haven’t accomplished much yet. They aren’t acting on his executive orders. We’ll see what their stance is on spending. Given our slim majority, attempting to campaign in other locations and missing critical votes isn’t something I advise,” DeSantis, who previously campaigned against Trump in 2024 before endorsing him, conveyed to reporters at an unrelated press briefing.
“The fact is, we have succeeded in Florida. Now we need to replicate those successes in Washington. So I think people evaluate it and realize that a guy like Byron—he hasn’t contributed to any of the victories we’re celebrating here against the left in recent years. He hasn’t been part of it. He’s been campaigning in other states, which is acceptable, but the focus should be on delivering results up there. That’s what I want to see,” the governor further elaborated.
A spokesperson for Donalds did not respond to requests for comments.
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Donalds has yet to announce his candidacy for governor, but Trump stated that should he decide to run, he would have his “complete and total endorsement.”
Trump posted on social media, “As Governor, Byron would have a STRONG Voice and would collaborate closely with me to promote our America First Agenda.”
Donalds served as a state representative from 2016 to 2020 before winning an open election for Florida’s 19th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has been re-elected two times with ease.
DeSantis, a former congressman, narrowly won the gubernatorial election in 2018 by fewer than 33,000 votes, while in 2022 he achieved a landslide victory with nearly 60 percent of the vote.
Florida law prohibits governors from serving more than two consecutive terms, which restricts DeSantis from running in 2026.
During a press conference on Monday, DeSantis remarked that while many view Republicans in Florida as secure, he believes that perception could be misleading.
“We could revert very quickly. That is a definite possibility. So, it’s crucial to consider if you will be someone who fights for the people, especially when times get tough,” he stated.
DeSantis chose not to comment on Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, 52, but mentioned that many often inquire about Florida’s first lady.
“A lot of people … are talking about her [Casey] possibly running,” he shared.
He later stated: “I won by the largest margin any Republican has ever won a governor’s race here in Florida. She would surpass my success. She possesses the determination and commitment to conservative values that will carry our accomplishments to the next level.”
DeSantis recalled an encounter with the late conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who, after speaking to his wife, remarked to him, “The only person I would rather have as my governor than you is her.” He regarded it as quite a noteworthy endorsement.
Casey DeSantis, 44, a former news journalist, has not yet declared her intention to run but has not dismissed the idea either.
