Special Poll
DeSantis Lowers Expectations for Florida GOP Special Election But Is He Undercutting Trump?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made headlines Tuesday when he openly predicted that Republican state Senator Randy Fine will significantly underperform in next week’s special election for Florida’s 6th Congressional District a seat long considered safe for the GOP.
“Regardless of the outcome in that, it’s going to be a way underperformance from what I won that district by in 2022 and what the president won it by in November,” DeSantis told reporters.
While DeSantis insisted the blame shouldn’t fall on President Trump, some political observers are wondering whether his comments are casting doubt on Trump’s continued influence especially given the governor’s rocky relationship with the former president during the 2024 GOP primary season.
“They’re going to try to lay that at the feet of President Trump,” DeSantis said. “That is not a reflection of President Trump. It’s a reflection of a specific candidate running in that race.”
He doubled down, stating, “If President Trump were on the ballot in this special election, he would win by 30 points no question.” Still, he emphasized that the current GOP nominee simply doesn’t measure up: “It’s a candidate-specific issue.”
DeSantis went on to acknowledge that the district is heavily Republican, making it nearly impossible for a Democrat to win outright. But he cautioned that the GOP candidate’s final margin would fall well short of the blowout victories both he and Trump posted in recent elections.
“Do I think they will get even close to the margins that I received or the president received? No,” DeSantis said.
The comment comes amid signs of a tightening race. Democrat Josh Weil has dramatically outraised Fine, pulling in nearly $10 million, compared to just $561,000 for the Republican state senator, according to recent campaign finance filings.
The 6th District has been a Republican stronghold Trump and former Congressman Mike Waltz each won the district by more than 30 points in the last cycle. But with DeSantis publicly forecasting a disappointing GOP showing, some insiders are asking:
👉 Is DeSantis subtly sabotaging Trump or just managing expectations?
The Florida governor’s remarks come as Trump continues to flex his influence over the Republican Party while facing mounting pressure to deliver strong midterm results under his second-term leadership. If the GOP falters in a deep-red district, it could spark renewed questions about Trump’s political coattails especially if high-profile Republicans like DeSantis are already bracing for a letdown.
Whether DeSantis is offering a candid assessment or sending a subtle political message, his comments have added fresh intrigue to what was expected to be a routine Republican victory. Now, all eyes are on Florida not just to see who wins, but what the results say about Trump’s grip on the GOP heading into 2026 and beyond.