• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticizes Representative Byron Donalds, President Trump's endorsed candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial race.
• DeSantis promotes his wife, Casey DeSantis, as a strong candidate to continue his conservative legacy.
• Byron Donalds officially announces his candidacy with Trump's endorsement, emphasizing his own conservative record.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken jabs at Representative Byron Donalds, who is being backed by President Donald Trump in his pursuit of the state governorship. At a recent press conference, DeSantis remarked that Donalds “hasn't been a part of any of the victories” that have characterized Republican governance in Florida, suggesting he has been more focused on campaigning outside the state than contributing meaningfully to Florida's conservative agenda. DeSantis's remarks come as speculation grows about his wife, Casey DeSantis, potentially entering the race to succeed him when he finishes his term in January 2027. “A guy like Byron... he’s just not been a part of it,” DeSantis stated, enhancing Casey’s credentials as someone who can build upon his legacy.

Donalds, who represents Florida's 19th congressional district and officially announced his candidacy for governor on February 26, is riding on the momentum of Trump's endorsement. “Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida... RUN, BYRON, RUN!” Trump declared on his Truth Social platform, significantly boosting Donalds's profile in what is anticipated to be a competitive GOP primary. In contrast, DeSantis has hinted at his wife's potential run, asserting, “she could take this to the next level” in a race against Donalds.

The growing rivalry within Florida's GOP is becoming evident as DeSantis remains at odds with Donalds, particularly after Donalds endorsed Trump over the governor during the contentious 2024 Republican presidential primary. On the other hand, Donalds has defended his legislative record, asserting that his service in the state legislature speaks for itself, emphasizing his proactive stance on issues like gun rights and parental control in education.

As the political landscape evolves, Casey DeSantis emerges as a formidable candidate should she decide to enter the fray. While polls indicate she possesses higher name recognition among Florida voters, Donalds's status as the currently endorsed candidate by Trump complicates her potential candidacy and suggests a fractious primary ahead.

The dynamics between DeSantis, Donalds, and Trump set the stage for a heightened political battle in Florida, with implications for the direction of the Republican Party in the state. The Florida gubernatorial primary election is scheduled for August 18, 2026.

For more details, read the full reports from HuffPost, Newsweek, and other coverage.