A.G. Gancarski
New polling of the next race for Governor suggests Floridians can’t decide between some potential candidates, though many other big names were excluded … including a Republican with as high a profile as any in the state.
The Ragnar Research Group survey released this week shows 55% undecided in a race that hypothetically includes Republican Reps. Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, and Mike Waltz, along with Democratic state Sen. Shev Jones and U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
Gaetz leads with 12%, with Donalds and Moskowitz at 10%. Jones has 9% and Waltz has 5%.
The survey excluded many potential candidates, including Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, CFO Jimmy Patronis, and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
The latter has polled better than any other Republican.
Per a June polling memo released by Florida Atlantic University, she leads a field of candidates with 43% support, ahead of Donalds at 19%, with Patronis and Gaetz further back still.
A poll conducted in April by FAU showed 38% of 372 Florida Republicans polled would choose the First Lady in a head-to-head race against Gaetz, who would receive 16% support in this scenario.
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.
Both the First Lady and the Governor have addressed the speculation.
While she acknowledged the talk is “humbling,” she also maintains that the seeming enthusiasm for her running is due to her “rock star” husband and the job he’s done as the state’s Chief Executive.
Ron DeSantis addressed a 2026 run, all but ruling it out on Casey DeSantis’ behalf.
He said in May that if he “had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate,” he would “characterize it as zero.”
19 comments
aggie
September 7, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Who the heck are they polling? Republicans only? Matt Gaetz?!? Casey DeSantis?!? Seriously, Floridians, haven’t you had enough of the clown show yet? After 8 years of Rich Scott and 8 years of DeSantis, the irresponsibility of Rick Scott, Matt Gaetz & Byron Donalds in Washington these past years and their total inability to accomplish anything, the destruction of institutions, infrastructure and transparency in the state, the backroom deals with cronies and the retaliation against anyone who dares speak out and now sending goon squads to intimidate citizens who signed a petition, you want to keep these people in charge? Why?
Cheesy Floridian
September 7, 2024 at 4:36 pm
Thank you!!! I think enough is enough. People i hope are paying attention
JD
September 13, 2024 at 4:50 pm
It’s so sad. I actually pine for Jeb Bush’s seemingly (now) sanity.
Who else remembers when politics ran itself for the good of the people and not some grifting culture war?
FFS.
Cheesy Floridian
September 7, 2024 at 4:35 pm
I’m down with the GOP leadership in Florida. Who’s in charge right now in the gov? Republicans not the democrats. And I’m done with how things are being run and the direction they are taking the state. And if Casey wins let’s be honest? It would just be another 4 years of DeSantis
Cheesy Floridian
September 7, 2024 at 7:47 pm
I’m done! Not down!
tom palmer
September 7, 2024 at 5:39 pm
I do not think we need four more years of corruption lying and withholding of public records. in addition to general petty, mean-spirited politics.
ELVIS PITTS AMERICAN
September 7, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Thanks Tom for your pledge of support of Donald J Trump because thats the only way there will be no more more years of corruption lying and withholding of public records. in addition to general petty, mean-spirited politics.
Thank you Tom,
ELVIS PITTS AMERICAN
ELVIS PITTS AMERICAN
It’s only going to get worse for DeSantis…
September 7, 2024 at 7:17 pm
People aren’t going to forget the DeSantis attempt to desecrate our state parks and his endorsement in 2026 won’t guarantee a win for anyone. The race is Gaetz’s to lose, sadly.
Dan lanske
September 7, 2024 at 7:55 pm
Casey desantis #1, but if she don’t run Byron Donald’s all the way
Matt gaetz is a liberal
Frankie M.
September 7, 2024 at 8:18 pm
.I understand….having your own TV show seems to be a prerequisite for holding political office these days. AG likes to beat this dead horse every so often on slow news days because it generates clicks which is all anyone ever cares about anymore. #gogata
Mickeydee
September 7, 2024 at 9:31 pm
This has to be the silliest poll ever. What makes anyone think Matt Gaetz is fit to be a Governor? Except for those of us in the political junkie world, no one knows who Jared Moskowitz is. Heck, on a big stage, the question of him being a Republican Florida Governor ( Desantis) apppintee will bring up real questions. So to what degree is he just a performer. And Shev Jones???? Quit! Sorry, but Floruda us not going to elect for Governor a gay man who was married to a women who he divorced to be mire gay…and blacks are certainly not going to be voting for a black gay man to represent them. It’s not fair, but true. Byron Donaldson?? His campaign would be a disaster after his butt kissing of DJT is fiully explored with the things he did and said to sell out the memories of his ancestors. He can’t be trusted a d hs an embarassment to his race. This poll has completed disrespected real contenders to only ficus on a few names or people it knows.
Elliot
September 9, 2024 at 11:06 am
Pit bull Pizzo is coming. Stand back and stand by. If he can keep his ego in check he’ll bulldoze over all of them, including the other Dems in a primary.
For the love
September 8, 2024 at 9:42 am
For the love, can we please please PLEASE elect a better governor and NOT elect a pedo. I mean we are better than electing someone who creeps on teenage girls and is a total assclown.
Sundance
September 8, 2024 at 11:52 am
Operation. Put the strategy back and stop worrying about breaking glass on your heads. This is not the time for I can do anything
Bob Barquer
September 8, 2024 at 6:35 pm
All of those options, including Hurricane Relief Money Thief, Casey, are terrible choices. GROSS.
HarleyRich
September 8, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Casey, NO WAY!! We have puppets controlled by “THE PUPPET-MASTER” right now in our Federal Government, and our country is heading down the dumper. We don’t need Casey being led around by another term for Ronnie DeSantis(State PUPPET-MASTER)!!! NO WAY!!!!
I would have to go with Byron Donalds. But really too early to call .and Ron pi$$ Ed me off with the sneaky State Park fiasco, & him hiding records of who paid his travel for him in the primaries. Transparency is out the window in every government circle…. & I voted for him!!! Our country is being ruled by corruption & irpt seems acceptable!!!
SAD, VERY SAD— I’m glad I’m on my way out!!! We had A GREAT COUNTRY AT ONE TIME, NOW, NOT SO MUCH!!!!
JM
September 9, 2024 at 9:38 am
For crying out loud, the gubernatorial election isn’t for TWO MORE YEARS. I decided about who exactly? Has anyone even announced? No. Has anyone expressed interest? Yes, but expecting Floridians should be making a choice now is ridiculous.
This is not newsworthy.
Tom
September 9, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Yes indeed. I’m already at the stage where I can’t wait to mail my vote in and turn the TV off for two months. 2026? Fuhgeddaboudit.
Elmo
September 12, 2024 at 5:12 pm
Come on Tay Tay, move to Florida and start a blue wave. These extremist MAGA Republicans need to go.
Comments are closed.