President Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for Florida governor is revealing fissures among the many state’s Republicans in a state that has change into the middle of the GOP universe.
Trump’s endorsement is extraordinarily invaluable in Florida given his widespread recognition within the state. The general public backing of Donalds, who introduced his candidacy for governor on Tuesday, has led many to ask whether or not the first is successfully over.
However on Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has additionally performed a starring position within the state’s GOP wins, took a swipe at Donalds, suggesting he has not performed a task in conservative wins in that state. The governor then went on to tout his spouse, Florida first woman Casey DeSantis, as somebody who would have the ability to take his file “to the next level.”
The developments may very well be setting the stage for a probably bruising GOP main, one which resurfaces tensions that return to DeSantis’s presidential main towards Trump.
DeSantis and Donalds fell out over the congressman endorsing Trump over the governor within the 2024 Republican presidential main, in addition to over state schooling pointers set by DeSantis on African American historical past in 2023.
“Here’s the bottom line: The governor does not want Byron to be the next governor,” mentioned one Florida Republican operative.
Initially, DeSantis had his sights set on then-Florida Lawyer Basic Ashley Moody to be his successor within the state’s GOP main. Nevertheless, DeSantis ended up tapping her to switch Secretary of State Marco Rubio within the Senate. That appeared to clear the sector for Donalds, who has not jumped into the race however has advised donors he plans to launch a bid.
That has led the governor and first woman to noticeably take into account a possible gubernatorial bid for the latter.
“She’s not definitively in but leaning toward getting in,” the operative advised The Hill, noting the couple has made calls to donors in regards to the chance.
However Trump’s endorsement of Donalds on Friday shook up the dynamic final week as DeSantis and the primary woman have been getting ready to attend the Nationwide Governors Affiliation Dinner on Saturday. The conservative outlet The Floridian first reported Thursday that DeSantis was planning to satisfy with Trump through the gathering to drift the primary woman as a candidate. However Trump endorsed Donalds on Fact Social on Thursday night.
“Trump’s endorsement of Byron Donalds throws a wrench into DeSantis’s plans, turning Florida’s 2026 GOP primary into a battle for the party’s future,” mentioned Dan Eberhart, a Florida-based GOP donor. “It’s MAGA muscle vs. the DeSantis dynasty — Florida Republicans now have a choice to make.”
However not all Florida Republicans assume the governor’s race has entered that stage but.
“The MAGA base in Florida is still the DeSantis base,” the Florida Republican operative mentioned.
Early polling reveals that Casey DeSantis has an edge relating to title ID. A ballot launched final week by the College of North Florida’s Public Opinion Analysis lab discovered that 33 % of registered voters in Florida had by no means heard of the primary woman, whereas 66 % mentioned they’d by no means heard of Byron Donalds.
“You don’t know what [Donalds is] going to be like as an executive vs. Casey DeSantis, who would be a continuation of Ron DeSantis’s legacy,” the operative mentioned.
Casey DeSantis, who’s a former broadcast journalist, has performed a significant position in her husband’s campaigns, together with his run for president. That have has definitely boosted her title ID, however different Republicans say it might not be sufficient to overpower Trump’s endorsement.
“To have the president who won the state of Florida by over 10 points endorse or pre-endorse a nominee for governor in the emphatic way that he did it is an earthquake and a thunderclap in Florida politics,” mentioned Justin Sayfie, a Florida Republican strategist.
“It’s hard to know how any person, any individual will perform as a candidate for the first time, so that’s a question mark,” he mentioned. “She’s clearly not going to be receiving the endorsement from Trump.”
Sayfie pointed to the influence Trump’s endorsement had within the 2018 GOP gubernatorial main, when he threw his help behind Ron DeSantis, who went on to defeat then-rising star and state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to change into governor.
However others argue that Trump’s endorsement file in Florida shouldn’t be excellent. Final 12 months, DeSantis campaigned towards a poll measure often known as Modification 3, which might have legalized leisure marijuana within the state. Trump endorsed the measure, however it ended up failing in November. Moreover, Trump’s choose within the Republican main for the Florida’s seventh Senate District, David Shoar, misplaced to DeSantis’s choose, Tom Leek, who now represents the district.
Donalds has mentioned he’s “honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement.” Donalds advised The Hill on Friday he has not spoken to DeSantis about his anticipated gubernatorial run, however he mentioned, “I know we will.” When requested whether or not DeSantis will endorse him, Donalds mentioned “it’s too early for that.”
Donalds advised Fox Information’ Sean Hannity that on Tuesday “It’s very early” when requested about the opportunity of the primary woman leaping into the Republican main.
“I’m the only person in this race, so we’ll see what happens,” Donalds mentioned. “I’m excited to have the full endorsement of President Trump. He has a lot of faith in me.”
DeSantis took a extra aggressive tone when requested whether or not he would endorse Donalds in Tampa on Monday.
“I think people look at it and say you’ve got a guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years. He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning doing that and that’s fine, but OK, then deliver results up there,” the governor mentioned.
Regardless of variations over candidates, DeSantis has confirmed he’s keen to be in lockstep with Trump on coverage. On Monday, DeSantis introduced the launch of Florida’s Division of Authorities Effectivity job pressure, taking a cue from the Trump administration. And earlier this month, DeSantis signed immigration laws geared toward serving to Trump on the difficulty.
“I think the beef on one hand, it’s slightly overplayed. He agrees with Trump completely on the agenda,” mentioned Ford O’Connell, a Florida Republican strategist. “What they disagree on is endorsements.”
Up to date at 10:20 p.m. EDT
