Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) isn’t rushing to lift up Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) as Florida’s next governor despite President Donald Trump’s recent preemptive endorsement of the congressman for 2026. DeSantis expressed doubt that Donalds should be looking at the gubernatorial race and encouraged him to focus on achieving legislative accomplishments with a slim Republican majority.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is wading into the 2026 Governor’s race, taking shots at Donald Trump’s preferred candidate and boosting the First Lady as his logical successor.

DeSantis is criticizing Byron Donalds, saying that the Republican representative should not be credited with the state's successes.

DeSantis touted his wife as a staunch conservative who would build on his legacy and argued that the state’s first lady could pull in even more voters than he did.

Far from tamping down chatter that Casey DeSantis could run for governor of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis praised her popularity and “intestinal fortitude.”

After President Donald Trump endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds for Florida governor, Ron DeSantis leveled criticisms at the president’s choice, and championed someone else: his wife, Casey

Donalds “just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left these last years,” Florida’s governor said.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has not been a “part of any of the victories” for Republicans in Florida, DeSantis said.

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approaches the end of his term in office, he’s talking up one potential heir to succeed him in 2026: his wife Casey DeSantis.