“Instant frontrunner”: staunch Trump loyalist and ex-congressman Matt Gaetz reveals his favorite Florida governor candidate
Florida – Former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who has frequently found himself at the center of Florida’s most intense political debates, has made it clear who he thinks should run the state when Governor Ron DeSantis’s term ends.
Gaetz recently expressed enormous backing for Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis, calling her an “absolute force” and predicting she would be the front-runner should she decide to run for governor in 2026.
Gaetz took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his views, posting a video of Casey DeSantis in action and adding, “If @CaseyDeSantis announced tomorrow she was running for Governor she would be an absolute force – and probably the instant frontrunner.” His endorsement arrives at a time of swirling rumors that the first lady is seriously considering a campaign of her own, potentially continuing her husband’s political legacy in the Sunshine State.
If @CaseyDeSantis announced tomorrow she was running for Governor she would be an absolute force – and probably the instant frontrunner.
If you don’t believe me, watch this performance 👇
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) May 14, 2025
Though she has never run for office, Casey DeSantis is a familiar face to most Floridians. A first lady’s typical duties were significantly surpassed by her major involvement throughout her husband’s two gubernatorial campaigns and her prominent position in his 2024 presidential run. Polling from earlier this year by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab put her ahead in a crowded Republican field including Gaetz, Congressman Byron Donalds, and Attorney General Ashley Moody. That survey found 57% of Republican voters favored her, with Gaetz 12 points behind.
Still, the circumstances are changing. Another poll, done in May by the James Madison Institute, indicated that the dynamic may alter substantially with an endorsement from Donald Trump. Trump surged ahead of Casey DeSantis by a considerable amount when voters were informed he supported Donalds. She and Donalds were practically tied before Trump’s theoretical endorsement, indicating how much influence a Trump nod has in Florida Republican politics.
Read also: Florida Republicans want to lower the state tax, Gov. DeSantis doesn’t: “Dead on arrival”
Given his own potential interest to run and his image as a staunch Trump loyalist, Gaetz’s decision to back Casey DeSantis is remarkable. Recent ethics investigations have challenged his own political standing, so his support is a smart signal as GOP candidates start positioning themselves for the next election.
Apart from campaign dynamics, Florida’s political scene and demographics have been changing quickly. The state’s growth has continued to accelerate under Ron DeSantis’s leadership, with the population surpassing 23 million in 2024. Though several elements are involved, many attribute the governor’s conservative agenda as one cause for Florida’s influx of new people.
Beyond the campaign path, Casey DeSantis has experience. Her former job as a television journalist provides her an advantage in communication and public involvement; she has been actively engaged in topics including mental health, children’s welfare, and disaster recovery. Her visibility and relationships throughout Florida could help her to be formidable contender.
All eyes are now on Casey DeSantis as the political spotlight starts to shine more on the 2026 gubernatorial contest. For the time being, she seems concentrated on her current job, stressing to the public that there is still a lot to be done before any ballots are cast. Endorsements like Gaetz’s will increase the pressure and the speculation as well.
