Is Florida’s First Lady running for governor in 2026?

First lady Casey DeSantis is mulling a run for Florida governor in 2026, NBC News reported Thursday evening.

The network cited five people “directly familiar” with her thought process. It described a gathering of Republican donors in Palm Beach County last week as the site of a groundswell of support.

NBC News said she could not be reached for comment.

The possibility Florida’s first lady would succeed her husband, who will be termed out, has long been wished in some segments of the Republican party, but she has regularly dismissed the notion.

The personable former television newswoman, 44, could be a strong candidate if she changed her mind, drawing on Ron DeSantis’ donor base.

The other Republican who has said he is considering a run for governor is Rep. Byron Donalds, who many expect would receive the endorsement of President Trump. Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson is also considered a likely candidate.

Neither man is close to Ron DeSantis. NBC quoted one source familiar with Casey DeSantis’ thinking as saying the governor has come to believe that his wife is the best opportunity for him to “set the future leadership for the state and prevent a Simpson or Donalds governorship.”

Ron and Casey DeSantis married on September 26, 2009, at Walt Disney World Resort. She has not previously held political office.

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