A.G. Gancarski
Does Rep. Byron Donalds want to be Governor?
If so, he didn’t confirm or deny it or go deep into his thoughts about a potential faceoff with Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis on the August 2026 Primary ballot, who is now a “very real” possibility as the logical successor to her husband as Governor
“Nobody’s in a race right now, so we’ll see what happens,” he said, deflecting a question about whether he wanted to run.
Donalds has been rebuffing questions on the topic for almost a year, saying on cable last spring he didn’t want to “break news” on the matter.
But he has one key player in his corner.
At a New York City fundraiser, President Donald Trump suggested Donalds might be a good fit, saying that if he ran for Governor, he’d have “many friends in the race.”
Polling has been conducted with Donalds’ name atop a field, but it’s old and questionable.
One survey that omitted then-Attorney General and current Sen. Ashley Moody and First Lady Casey DeSantis showed him ahead of other potential candidates.
Other polls tell a different tale, with Casey DeSantis leading.
Per a June polling memo from Florida Atlantic University, she leads a field of candidates with 43% support, ahead of Byron Donalds at 19%, with Jimmy Patronis and Matt 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 that 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.
11 comments
JD
February 8, 2025 at 1:45 pm
In that poll, Casey DeSantis looks squeaky clean compared to two of the three mentioned. Patronis has been an incompetent CFO (see the insurance debacle and inflation), while Donalds and Gaetz are both damaged goods, especially Gaetz.
It’s remarkable that she comes off as a standout despite having zero experience and no tested competence beyond proximity to her husband.
No wonder Florida (and now the nation) is struggling.
Is the Republican standard now incompetence, inexperience, or scandal?
TJC
February 8, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Nationally, and now more than ever in Florida, the Republican “standard” is actually Trump’s standard. So, don’t forget: ass-kissing fealty to Trump is a must. Scandal makes any candidate more cuddly to Trump — he likes that smell — but inexperience and/or incompetence help guarantee those candidates won’t outshine Trump even if they try. It’s all good for him, and this is all about him, not the nation.
JD
February 8, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Upvote+
That’s an apt assessment of his psychology.
PeterH
February 8, 2025 at 2:52 pm
TJC most analytical unbiased truth telling on your part. Thank you!
Peachy
February 8, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Just imagine for a moment if Ka Mana Wanna was elected. Did you by chance see the unedited 60 minutes interview with Bill Whitaker? It is obvious how she made it to the top. Whew. Four years of that after the Biden debacle?
TJC
February 8, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Bullshit.
JD
February 8, 2025 at 2:24 pm
So by your own logic, Casey DeSantis has “earned” her position the exact same way as Harris, by “positional” proximity, not merit. Funny how that suddenly doesn’t seem to bother you.
HAHAHA, your argument, not mine. Thanks for the afternoon laugh, peaches and cream.
Also, interesting that you didn’t push back against the claim that Republicans are incompetent, criminal, or inexperienced, just threw in some whataboutism instead. Not exactly a ringing defense.
PeterH
February 8, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Laughable ImpeachBiden! You’re more disgusting than previously reported by others! 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Peachy
February 8, 2025 at 3:08 pm
The truth hurts now doesn’t it? She is as dumb as rocks. At least Biden had an excuse, what’s hers?
Ocean Joe
February 8, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Why are we talking about her? She lost. Who’s going to be Florida’s next governor? Whoever Trump says it will be unless his flood the zone antics accidentally break the spell over his cult.
If Suzy Willes is still with Trump, we can bet it wont be whoever Desantis wants. As a lifelong Florida Democrat I cant understand the way you guys worship Trump no matter what comes out of his mouth, but I guess I would have felt that way about FDR.
Peachy
February 8, 2025 at 3:45 pm
I don’t worship Trump. He is far better than who ran against him though.