Casey DeSantis for Governor? Another poll points to GOP enthusiasm, though caveats abound

Casey DeSantis.

A new survey of Florida Republicans suggests that a plurality of voters would like to keep the First Family in the Governor’s Mansion for more than eight years.

However, that ballot test for First Lady Casey DeSantis came against one potential candidate, suggesting that the question needs to be probed more ahead of the 2026 Republican Primary.

A poll conducted by Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research shows that 38% of 372 Florida Republicans polled would choose the First Lady in a head-to-head race against a firebrand Congressman from the Panhandle.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz would receive 16% support in this scenario.

An additional 21% of respondents want another candidate altogether, while 26% say they don’t know who they would back at this point, still more than two years before voters would actually get to weigh in.

The First Lady has plurality support among all age cohorts and both genders, suggesting that at least in a one-on-one against Gaetz, she performs well.

The poll was conducted from April 15 to April 17 using text message recruitment and IVR to complete the survey.

It is not the only poll to find Republican enthusiasm for a potential Casey DeSantis Governorship.

A University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab survey from November 2023 showed the First Lady with 22% support, a lead in a crowded field of potential candidates. It should be noted that 40% of respondents were undecided amid names like U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Gaetz, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz.