Casey DeSantis, Florida’s First Lady, is reportedly weighing a run for governor in 2026 as her husband, Governor Ron DeSantis, approaches the end of his second term.

According to sources, Republican donors have been encouraging her to enter the race, believing she would be a strong candidate.

BREAKING: Casey DeSantis reportedly considering a run for Governor of Florida in 2026 after “donors have been urging her to run,” per NBC. pic.twitter.com/fT091MmQQf

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“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.

Discussions about a possible bid intensified at a recent Republican gathering in Palm Beach County, where attendees openly speculated about her political future.

Despite no official confirmation from Casey DeSantis or her husband, some insiders believe a campaign is becoming more likely.

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“She’s going to run,” one insider stated.

“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 DeSantis has been a prominent figure in Florida’s political landscape, frequently appearing alongside Governor DeSantis on the campaign trail.

She has previously acknowledged the public’s support for her potential candidacy but credited it to her husband’s leadership.

“I will tell you this, when people talk about me running for governor, I think it speaks highly about the governor himself,” she said on the Conservative Review podcast in May 2023.

“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. 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.”

A possible Casey DeSantis candidacy could create political tension between her husband and former President Donald Trump.

Trump is reportedly backing Rep. Byron Donalds for Florida governor, and any move by Casey DeSantis to enter the race could be seen as a challenge to the former president’s influence in the state.

Trump and Ron DeSantis were political allies during Trump’s presidency, but their relationship soured when DeSantis entered the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.

While tensions have reportedly eased, a high-profile governor’s race could revive past political friction.

Governor DeSantis previously dismissed speculation about his wife’s political ambitions, saying in May 2024, “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 added, “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 DeSantis, a former television news reporter, has been a key adviser to her husband throughout his political career.

Her involvement in his campaigns has led many political analysts to view her as a formidable political figure in her own right.

Katherine Jellison, a professor of history at Ohio University who studies first ladies, previously told DailyMail.com that Casey DeSantis plays a significant role in her husband’s political strategy.

“She is apparently an exceedingly hands-on political spouse. She is her husband’s closest advisor and often literally shares the stage with him,” Jellison 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.”

As speculation grows over the 2026 Florida governor’s race, Casey DeSantis remains a leading name in the conversation.

While no formal announcement has been made, her increasing presence in political discussions signals that her potential candidacy will be closely watched in the coming months.

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