Florida’s Next Governor Revealed?

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) recently sparked speculation about his potential candidacy for governor of Florida in 2026, following Governor Ron DeSantis’s announcement that he would not seek reelection due to term limits. Appearing on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Donalds responded cautiously when asked about a possible run, saying, “We’ll see what happens.”

Donalds, a strong supporter of President Trump, has been actively preparing for a potential campaign. According to sources close to him, he has already been engaging with influential Florida donors and making key political hires, including bringing on Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s pollster for both the 2016 and 2024 campaigns.

During the same appearance, Maher brought up the possibility of Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife, running for office. However, Palmeri, another guest, quickly turned the conversation back to Donalds, prompting him to weigh in. “Nobody’s in the race right now,” he replied, leaving the door open for future plans. When Maher pressed further, Donalds responded with a shrug, saying, “Ask the reporter to my left,” which added to the intrigue surrounding his political future.

The conversation shifted to speculation about other potential candidates, including Casey DeSantis, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), and of course, Donalds himself. Palmeri cited sources who indicated that Donalds, Casey DeSantis, and Gaetz are among the top contenders, with polls showing strong support for all three.

This follows recent reports suggesting that Gaetz is also considering a run, while insiders say that Florida’s first lady is seriously weighing her options. With DeSantis not able to run for a third consecutive term, the 2026 race for governor is heating up.

For Republicans, the question remains: Who will emerge as the next leader of the Sunshine State?