Running for Governor of Florida? Ron DeSantis Responds

On Friday, March 21st, during a speech at the National Review Institute’s Ideas Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, Florida’s First Lady, Casey DeSantis, showered praises on her husband, Governor Ron DeSantis, calling him the “Greatest of All Time.” She highlighted his integrity and said that compared to other politicians she has met, her husband stands out for his qualities, stating, “I must applaud him.”

She expressed admiration for his leadership, noting that many of his accomplishments could easily be undone by someone else, emphasizing Florida’s status as a symbol of freedom and inspiration for other states.

Regarding speculation about her own political ambitions, particularly in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election, Casey DeSantis teased, “In the end, we will have to wait and see.”

Last month, Republican U.S. Representative Byron Donalds officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 Florida governor race, preparing to succeed Ron DeSantis, who will not be able to seek reelection due to term limits. Donalds has already received an endorsement from former President Trump.

Initially, DeSantis intended to support current U.S. Senator Ashley Moody to succeed him, but later appointed her to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate.

According to reports from The Hill, there is conflicting public opinion on a potential primary showdown between Casey DeSantis and Byron Donalds. A recent poll conducted by the North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab revealed that 57% of registered Republican voters viewed Casey DeSantis positively, while 27% supported Donalds.

However, an internal poll commissioned by Donalds’ campaign showed him leading Casey DeSantis by 34% to 30%.

In February, The New York Post cited sources close to Casey DeSantis who revealed that her plan to run for Florida’s first female governor has long been in the works, portraying her as ambitious and a rising political force similar to her husband.

There are also rumors suggesting that Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner, Wilton Simpson, might enter the race, given his policy differences with DeSantis, particularly on immigration issues.

Speaking about his wife, DeSantis said, “Her conservative stance is as strong as mine.” He disclosed during Friday’s event that the late conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh once commented after hearing Casey speak at an event, saying, “She should be a governor.”

Casey and Ron DeSantis met at the golf course at Mayport Naval Base and held their wedding at Disney World in 2009.

During the discussion, Casey addressed topics like government spending cuts, establishing cancer research initiatives, and funding programs. The political couple also shared their favorite activities in Florida, with Casey jokingly mentioning her love for “hunting pythons in the Everglades.”

Overall, Casey DeSantis’ speech at the summit not only highlighted her admiration for her husband’s leadership but also raised further speculation about her potential future political endeavours.