{"id":2415805,"date":"2025-03-26T19:27:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T23:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-contenders-to-take-baton-from-desantis-as-floridas-governor-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-03-26T19:27:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T23:27:37","slug":"leading-candidates-to-succeed-desantis-as-floridas-governor-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/leading-candidates-to-succeed-desantis-as-floridas-governor-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading candidates to succeed DeSantis as Florida&#8217;s governor &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fleading-candidates-to-succeed-desantis-as-floridas-governor-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2415805&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Teh article discusses the upcoming gubernatorial election in Florida, set for 2026, as current Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot run again. It highlights several key contenders from both the Republican and Democratic parties who have expressed interest in succeeding him.<\/p>\n<p>Among the Republican candidates,Rep. Byron Donalds is noted as a strong Trump supporter who has announced his intention too run and received Donald trump&#8217;s endorsement. Meanwhile, Casey DeSantis, the First Lady of Florida, is also considering a run, having actively advocated for economic improvement and educational standards during her tenure. Former Congressman Matt Gaetz has expressed interest as well, despite facing serious allegations of misconduct.<\/p>\n<p>On the democratic side, David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who has criticized both Trump and DeSantis, is seen as a potential candidate and could be the party&#8217;s strongest chance to reclaim the governorship.<\/p>\n<p>the political landscape in Florida is evolving, wiht the potential for a significant shift in leadership as candidates prepare for the election over the next 19 months.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Here are the top contenders to take the baton from DeSantis as Florida&rsquo;s governor<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2027055\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Florida&rsquo;s<\/a> gubernatorial election is about 19 months away, but several big names on both sides of the political aisle have already shared their interest in taking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-desantis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Gov. Ron DeSantis&rsquo;s<\/a> (R-FL) torch.<\/p>\n<p>Elected in 2018, DeSantis is ineligible to run in 2026 due to term limitations. During his tenure, DeSantis has focused on combating &ldquo;wokeism&rdquo; by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lost-their-marbles-backlash-hits-coca-cola-after-accusations-of-anti-white-agenda\/\" title=\"\u2018Lost Their Marbles\u2019: Backlash Hits Coca-Cola After Accusations Of Anti-White Agenda\">banning critical race theory<\/a> and gender ideology lessons in public schools and adopting tough-on-crime policies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/politics\/3359942\/spencer-cox-veto-bill-utah-supreme-court-pick-chief-justice\/\">Cox vetoes &lsquo;very tempting&rsquo; bill allowing him to select state Supreme Court chief justice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3359153\/rnc-voter-roll-document-48-states-dc\/\">RNC requests voter roll documents from 48 states and DC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3359102\/democrat-flips-pennsylvania-state-senate-seat\/\">Democrat flips red Pennsylvania state Senate seat as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-flips-red-pennsylvania-state-senate-seat-as-party-rides-special-election-wave-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Democrat flips red Pennsylvania state Senate ... as party rides ... wave - Washington Examiner\">party rides special election wave<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The state has experienced a significant shift to the right under DeSantis&rsquo;s stewardship, in part due to people leaving blue states with strict lockdown and social distancing restrictions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2024 election cycle, there were a million more Republicans registered than Democrats in the state.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump has already endorsed a candidate in the Florida governor race, which doesn&rsquo;t appear to have been welcomed by DeSantis.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the top contenders seeking to become Florida&rsquo;s next governor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Byron Donalds&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) arrives before President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony with the Florida Panthers NHL hockey team to celebrate their 2024 Stanley Cup victory in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) announced in February that he would be making a run for governor.<\/p>\n<p>He&rsquo;s been representing Florida in Congress since 2021. A staunch Trump supporter, Donalds was on Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3040543\/trump-vp-shortlist-top-candidates-election-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">short list for vice president<\/a> before Vice President JD Vance was selected.<\/p>\n<p>Trump has vowed to back Donalds in his bid for governor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement,&rdquo; the president posted on his social media site before Donalds&rsquo;s announcement. &ldquo;RUN, BYRON, RUN!&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, DeSantis is reportedly urging lobbyists to forgo supporting Donalds, as his wife, Casey DeSantis, is considering a bid to be governor.<\/p>\n<p>Ron DeSantis accused Donalds in February of not delivering victories for Florida residents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The reality is we&rsquo;ve achieved victories in Florida,&rdquo; the governor said. &ldquo;I think people look at it and say you&rsquo;ve got a guy like Byron, he just hasn&rsquo;t been a part of any of the victories that we&rsquo;ve had here over the left over these last years. He&rsquo;s just not been a part of it. He&rsquo;s been in other states campaigning, doing that, and that&rsquo;s fine, but OK, then deliver results up there.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Casey DeSantis&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks during a Patient Freedom news conference Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo\/Chris O&rsquo;Meara)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Florida&rsquo;s first lady and former television reporter Casey DeSantis is flirting with the idea of running in the gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n<p>As first lady, Casey DeSantis has focused her efforts on promoting economic prosperity for Floridians through Hope Florida. The organization works to bridge the gap for low income and struggling residents to the private sector and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/these-are-the-most-important-races-to-watch-in-2022\/\" title=\"These Are The Most Important Races To Watch In 2022\">faith-based nonprofit organizations<\/a> to provide resources necessary to help them succeed. She has worked in establishing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flgov.com\/eog\/leadership\/people\/casey-desantis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Character Education Standards<\/a> taught in Florida&rsquo;s school systems, which set clear expectations for students in how to be civically engaged.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;She&rsquo;s somebody that has, I think, the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles,&rdquo; Ron DeSantis said of his wife. &ldquo;Anything we&rsquo;ve accomplished, she&rsquo;d be able to take to the next level.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/727882-casey-desantis-enjoys-higher-approval-ratings-than-byron-donalds-in-new-poll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">recent poll found<\/a> that Casey DeSantis has a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">slight approval rating lead<\/a> on Donalds among Florida voters.<\/p>\n<p>Both Ron and Casey DeSantis met with Trump earlier this month for a round of golf, where they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/florida-governor-spotlights-timely-golf-outing-he-casey-desantis-president-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reportedly<\/a> discussed Casey DeSantis&rsquo;s aspirations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Although Trump has already given his endorsement to Donalds, it is possible that he may endorse Casey DeSantis as well, a move Trump has done before.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>During the 2024 election, Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/arizona-republican-primary-endorsement-hamadeh-masters-trump-0dda9c82bffa95c77411cf7624802283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">endorsed two Republicans<\/a> seeking election in one of Arizona&rsquo;s congressional districts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Matt Gaetz<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; Former Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks at AmericaFest, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo\/Rick Scuteri, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz has signaled his intent to run for governor.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have a compelling vision for the state,&rdquo; Gaetz told<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabay.com\/news\/florida-politics\/2025\/01\/07\/matt-gaetz-i-am-starting-think-about-running-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> the <em>Tampa Bay Times<\/em><\/a>  in January.<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz won his fifth term in the House of Representatives in November and then was tapped by Trump to lead the Justice Department. However, allegations of Gaetz being involved in sexual indiscretions with minors led him to withdraw his name for consideration. He also shortly after resigned from his congressional seat in an effort to prevent the release of a House Ethics report on him regarding the allegations against him.&nbsp;The report was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3267103\/gaetz-ethics-report-substantial-evidence-paid-sex-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ultimately released<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/01\/08\/us\/politics\/matt-gaetz-florida-governor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">shared<\/a> that he didn&rsquo;t think the sexual misconduct allegations will be a hindrance to his campaign as he says those &ldquo;lies have been circling&rdquo; him &ldquo;for years.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">David Jolly<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Republican David Jolly thanks supporters during a campaign rally Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. Jolly is a candidate in the GOP primary for a special election to succeed the late Republican Rep. Bill Young, who died last month. (AP Photo\/Steve Nesius)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>David Jolly appears to be Democrats&rsquo; best chance to take control of Florida.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am very seriously considering a run for governor,&rdquo; Jolly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/03\/25\/ex-republican-anti-trump-david-jolly-considers-run-for-florida-governor-00246590\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> on Tuesday. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s clear to me there is a coalition of Floridians that want change.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats face an uphill battle to win the governor&rsquo;s seat as no Democrat holds statewide elected office in Florida.<\/p>\n<p>Jolly, a former Republican congressman, left the Republican Party in 2018. He has been a frequent commentator on MSNBC and a strong critic of both Trump and Ron DeSantis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3358544\/desantis-florida-republican-randy-fine-special-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">DESANTIS CASTS DOUBT ON FLORIDA REPUBLICAN RUNNING IN SPECIAL ELECTION<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Chris Korge, the Democratic National Committee finance chairman,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/03\/25\/ex-republican-anti-trump-david-jolly-considers-run-for-florida-governor-00246590\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> told <em>Politico<\/em><\/a>  he predicts Jolly will be able to bring in strong fundraising numbers and is a &ldquo;very interesting candidate.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s certainly in the middle more &mdash; and in Florida, clearly the electorate is more middle, middle-right,&rdquo; Korge said. &ldquo;I would not count him out winning a primary.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2027055\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2027055\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Top candidates eyeing DeSantis&#8217;s Florida governorship<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2415806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/desantt.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[52226,32371,43492,52227,32076],"class_list":["post-2415805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-desantis-successor","tag-election-analysis","tag-florida-politics","tag-gubernatorial-candidates","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/desantt.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2415805"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2415809,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415805\/revisions\/2415809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2415806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2415805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2415805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2415805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}