Special Poll
Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis, fueled speculation about a potential 2026 gubernatorial run during a press conference on Friday alongside her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis.
When asked about the possibility, she responded with a well-known Yogi Berra quote, saying, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” The remark prompted laughter from the governor, who then added, “You guys can read into that what you want. I’ve had people coming up to me for years, begging to get her in the fray.”
Gov. DeSantis went on to praise his wife’s political instincts, calling her “passionate, articulate, smart, and grounded in rock-solid values.” He also recalled a conversation with the late conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who once told him that Casey DeSantis was more conservative than he was.
The couple made these comments at an event held at Florida International University’s Academic Health Center, where they were highlighting state funding for cancer research. The first lady, a breast cancer survivor, has been a vocal advocate for cancer awareness and healthcare initiatives.
Meanwhile, Rep. Byron Donalds became the first Republican candidate to officially enter the 2026 governor’s race earlier this week. Donalds has already secured the endorsement of former President Trump, who publicly backed him last week.
The relationship between DeSantis and Donalds has been strained since the 2024 Republican presidential primary, when Donalds endorsed Trump over DeSantis. Tensions between the two also flared in 2023 over Florida’s education guidelines on African American history, which were set under DeSantis’ leadership.
With the 2026 race beginning to take shape, Casey DeSantis’ comments have only added to speculation about whether she will step into the political spotlight herself.