Trump Ally Seeks Florida Governor Job in Possible DeSantis Clash

In a potential clash of Republican titans, a Trump ally, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, has announced his intention to run for Florida governor in 2026, setting the stage for a possible showdown with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited and has hinted at supporting his wife, Casey DeSantis, for the position. The announcement comes after President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds, further complicating the political landscape in the Sunshine State.



Trump's endorsement of Donalds could significantly impact the race, given his track record of success in Republican primaries. According to Ballotpedia, Trump has endorsed in nearly 700 Republican primary races since 2018, with his preferred candidates winning about 95% of those races. This demonstrates the power and influence of Trump's endorsements in Republican politics.

However, the endorsement dynamics between Trump and DeSantis are likely to have significant implications for the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race. DeSantis has predicted that if his wife were to run, she would eclipse his record. Polling from 2018 showed that Trump's primary endorsement of DeSantis was instrumental in lifting him from a relatively unknown member of Congress to the GOP frontrunner. If Casey DeSantis decides to run, she could potentially challenge Donalds' lead, especially if she can leverage her husband's popularity and influence in the state.

Moreover, other potential candidates like Matt Gaetz or Wilton Simpson might still decide to run, regardless of Trump's endorsement. Gaetz, in particular, has been a staunch Trump ally and could potentially challenge Donalds, especially if he believes that Trump's endorsement is not a guarantee of victory. Additionally, Simpson has already raised millions for his political committees and could choose to bypass the governor's race and seek a second term as agriculture commissioner instead.

The political and ideological differences between Ron DeSantis and Byron Donalds are likely to shape the campaign dynamics in the 2026 Florida governor's race, potentially impacting the Republican Party's unity and platform in the state. The contentious primary campaign could lead to a divided Republican Party in Florida, with each candidate's supporters emphasizing different priorities and policies. This division could make it more difficult for the Republican Party to present a unified platform and message in the general election, potentially weakening their chances of winning the governorship. Additionally, a divisive primary could lead to lingering resentment and a lack of unity among Republican voters, impacting the party's ability to mobilize voters and win elections in the future.

In conclusion, the political and ideological differences between Ron DeSantis and Byron Donalds are likely to shape the campaign dynamics in the 2026 Florida governor's race, potentially impacting the Republican Party's unity and platform in the state. The contentious primary campaign could lead to a divided Republican Party in Florida, with each candidate's supporters emphasizing different priorities and policies. This division could make it more difficult for the Republican Party to present a unified platform and message in the general election, potentially weakening their chances of winning the governorship. Additionally, a divisive primary could lead to lingering resentment and a lack of unity among Republican voters, impacting the party's ability to mobilize voters and win elections in the future.