Casey DeSantis could be set to replace her husband as the Governor of Florida when he is term-limited out of the role.
Insiders claim the mother-of-three is seriously considering a bid as the Republican candidate in the 2026 race for the first time, at the behest of donors who think she’d be a great fit.
‘I would say this: I have heard donors have been urging her to run and that while it’s not something she has wanted to do, they are causing her to at least stop and listen,’ a source told NBC.
Her husband Ron DeSantis will not be able to recontest the 2026 election after already serving two terms.
Donors at a Republican gathering last week in Palm Beach County were reportedly openly discussing the prospect.
Casey has been a staple of the Republican campaign trail as Florida’s First Lady, and in May last year she credited the groundswell of support she has received for potentially entering political life as a reflection of her husband’s efforts.
‘I will tell you this, when people talk about me running for governor, I think it speaks highly about the governor himself,’ she told the Conservative Review podcast.
‘I think when people see me, it is because they are so happy about everything that this governor has done for the state of Florida.
Casey DeSantis could be set to replace her husband as the Governor of Florida when he is term-limited out of the role
Insiders claim the mother-of-three is seriously considering a bid as the Republican candidate in the 2026 race for the first time, at the behest of donors who think she’d be a great fit
‘When people start talking about “you should run,” that’s because Gov. DeSantis is a rock star and that’s because people are so proud of everything that he’s done for this state.’
Another insider said despite no official confirmation from Casey or her husband, the feeling on the ground is that her run for office is inevitable.
‘She’s going to run,’ the insider said.
‘I think at this point most see that. There is a lot to be worked out, but at this point the rumors are not just that – it’s feeling very real.’
Casey’s bid for Governor could exacerbate tensions between her husband and President Donald Trump, who is expected to endorse Rep. Byron Donalds.
Trump and DeSantis were allies during the President’s first term when he endorsed the Florida hopeful, but the relationship soured when DeSantis made a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.
While tensions appear to have eased since Trump’s return to the White House, a DeSantis bid to so brazenly go against the President’s wishes could reignite the feud.
But back in May 2024, DeSantis categorically denied that his wife was interested in a tilt in politics.
Back in May 2024, DeSantis categorically denied that his wife was interested in a tilt in politics
Casey, a former TV news reporter, and the couple’s three children were constant fixtures on the presidential campaign trail
Casey has been a staple of the Republican campaign trail as Florida’s First Lady, and in May last year she credited support she receives for entering political life as a reflection of her husband’s efforts
‘If I had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate, I would say, I would characterize it as zero,’ he said at the time.
‘But, you know, I think it’s because she has had a front row seat on all the nonsense that goes on when you do it.’
Casey, a former TV news reporter, and the couple’s three children were constant fixtures on the presidential campaign trail.
At the time, Katherine Jellison, a Professor of History at Ohio University who studies First Ladies, told DailyMail.com it was clear Casey was a trusted advisor for her husband.
‘She is apparently an exceedingly hands-on political spouse. She is her husband’s closest advisor and often literally shares the stage with him,’ she said.
‘She seems to enjoy interacting with the public much more than he does. When she has a speaking role during appearances with her husband, she may actually spend more time talking to the audience than he does.
”I think she will be a force to be reckoned with.’