Casey DeSantis Emerges as Frontrunner for Florida Governor in 2026
A new poll conducted by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) reveals that Florida’s First Lady, Casey DeSantis, holds a significant advantage over other potential candidates in the race for governor in 2026.
Casey DeSantis: A Popular Figure
Of the 871 active registered voters surveyed, 57% of Republicans expressed a favorable opinion of Casey DeSantis. This rating surpasses those of other potential candidates, including those with established political credentials.
"Casey DeSantis was the top early pick for potential Republican primary candidates when we asked back in late 2023, albeit with only 22% support," said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science. "However, her popularity has grown significantly since then."
Overall, 30% of respondents had a favorable view of Casey DeSantis, while 22% had an unfavorable view and 33% had never heard of her.
Other Potential Candidates Trail
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, received a mixed response from respondents. While 33% of Republicans viewed him favorably, 23% viewed him unfavorably. Gaetz’s overall favorability rating was just 18%, with 33% of respondents indicating they had never heard of him.
Sen. Ashley Moody, Rep. Byron Donalds, and Florida commissioner of agriculture Wilton Simpson all had lower levels of both favorability and recognition. The majority of respondents (54% for Moody, 66% for Donalds, and 79% for Simpson) had never heard of them.
Factors Contributing to Popularity
Binder suggests that Casey DeSantis’s popularity may be partly attributed to her association with her husband, Governor Ron DeSantis. "She likely enjoys some favorability by association as Florida’s first lady," Binder said.
However, Binder also acknowledges that many potential candidates suffer from a lack of recognition and expects that a few will raise their profiles by the time the primary rolls around in August 2026.
Ron DeSantis’s Dismissiveness
Governor Ron DeSantis has previously downplayed the possibility of his wife running for office. "If I had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate, I would say, I would characterize it as zero," DeSantis told reporters in May.
Despite these comments, Casey DeSantis’s popularity and the lack of strong competition suggest that she could be a formidable candidate if she decides to enter the race.
Conclusion
The poll results indicate that Casey DeSantis has emerged as the frontrunner for the Florida governor’s race in 2026. Her popularity among Republicans and the lack of recognition for other potential candidates give her a significant advantage. While it remains to be seen whether she will officially declare her candidacy, the possibility of her running and winning the election is growing.
