As Byron Donalds Clinches Endorsements, Casey DeSantis Must Consider Whether a GOP Civil War Is Worth It
Matt Vespa
5–7 minutes
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) wants to be the next governor of Florida. Ron DeSantis’ time in the mansion is coming to an end next year. Given that the Sunshine State is ruby red, I’m confident that whoever is the Republican nominee can fend off David Jolly, a Republican-turned-Democrat whose mind got broken by the Trump presidency. It’s too early, but as of now, it looks like Donalds could be in a duel with Casey DeSantis, the current First Lady of Florida, though she hasn’t officially announced yet. We’ll get to that later.
For now, Donalds secured the endorsement of Florida Republican Rep. Mike Haridopolos, whose district encompasses a good chunk of Florida’s Space Coast. Donalds wants NASA’s headquarters to be relocated there.
“Byron Donalds is the proven conservative leader we need to be Florida’s next Governor. As President Trump’s endorsed candidate, Byron will ensure Florida remains the strongest, safest, and freest state in the nation. Byron is also committed to cementing Florida as the number one state in America for space. I am proud to endorse Byron Donalds for Governor,” said Haridopolos in a statement.
Haridopolos joins President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and other top Trump officials who have endorsed Donalds’ gubernatorial bid.
Still, a ‘way too soon’ poll showed Casey DeSantis leading Donalds. It could be a bloody primary, but last week, Politico opted not to peddle fake news and offered some very good reasons for why the First Lady of Florida might not jump into the ring, not least of it being that Donalds already has Trump’s endorsement. There’s local baggage, and if she loses, Ron’s window for a possible White House run could be shut forever:
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https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/08/28/byron-donalds-clinches-another-endorsement-in-florida-gubernatorial-campaign-n2662498
