Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized Representative Byron Donalds, whom President Donald Trump has endorsed as his potential successor in the state’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
Speaking at a press conference Monday, DeSantis said Donalds “hasn’t been a part of any of the victories” that Republicans have achieved in Florida in recent years.
Newsweek has contacted DeSantis and Donalds for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
The 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary in Florida is likely to become a proxy battle between Trump and DeSantis, his ally turned political rival. Trump’s backing of Donalds could hinder the prospects of Florida’s first lady Casey DeSantis, who is rumored to be considering a run to replace her husband as governor.
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What to Know
The Florida Constitution bars DeSantis from seeking a third consecutive term, leaving an open Republican primary ahead of the 2026 general election.
In a February 20 post on Truth Social, Trump said that if Donalds decides to run, he will have his “complete and total” endorsement, adding, “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
DeSantis was asked about Trump’s endorsement of Donalds during a Monday press conference where he announced the creation of the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force.
DeSantis criticized Donalds and other GOP Florida representatives, saying they “haven’t done very much yet” to advance Trump’s agenda since the president returned to office on January 20.
The governor also argued that Donalds, who has been a U.S. representative since 2021, has not contributed to the Republican victories in Florida that have turned the former swing state into a GOP stronghold under his reign.
Addressing speculation about his wife’s political ambitions, DeSantis downplayed rumors that Casey DeSantis is considering a gubernatorial bid. He added that if she were to run in 2026, she “would do better” than he did in 2022, when he won reelection over Democrat Charlie Crist by 19 points.
The president and DeSantis were once close allies, with the governor’s 2018 victory largely attributed to Trump’s endorsement. Their relationship became…
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