The state has experienced a significant shift to the right under DeSantis’s stewardship, in part due to people leaving blue states with strict lockdown and social distancing restrictions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2024 election cycle, there were a million more Republicans registered than Democrats in the state. 

President Donald Trump has already endorsed a candidate in the Florida governor race, which doesn’t appear to have been welcomed by DeSantis.

Here are the top contenders seeking to become Florida’s next governor. 

Byron Donalds 

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) announced in February that he would be making a run for governor.

He’s been representing Florida in Congress since 2021. A staunch Trump supporter, Donalds was on Trump’s short list for vice president before Vice President JD Vance was selected.

Trump has vowed to back Donalds in his bid for governor. 

“Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” the president posted on his social media site before Donalds’s announcement. “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”  

Meanwhile, DeSantis is reportedly urging lobbyists to forgo supporting Donalds, as his wife, Casey DeSantis, is considering a bid to be governor.

Ron DeSantis accused Donalds in February of not delivering victories for Florida residents. 

“The reality is we’ve achieved victories in Florida,” the governor said. “I think people look at it and say you’ve got a guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years. He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning, doing that, and that’s fine, but OK, then deliver results up there.” 

Casey DeSantis 

Florida’s first lady and former television reporter Casey DeSantis is flirting with the idea of running in the gubernatorial race.

As first lady, Casey DeSantis has focused her efforts on promoting economic prosperity for Floridians through Hope Florida. The organization works to bridge the gap for low income and struggling residents to the private sector and faith-based nonprofit organizations to provide resources necessary to help them succeed. She has worked in establishing the Character Education Standards taught in Florida’s school systems, which set clear expectations for students in how to be civically engaged. 

“She’s somebody that has, I think, the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles,” Ron DeSantis said of his wife. “Anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

A recent poll found that Casey DeSantis has a slight approval rating lead on Donalds among Florida voters.

Both Ron and Casey DeSantis met with Trump earlier this month for a round of golf, where they reportedly discussed Casey DeSantis’s aspirations. 

Although Trump has already given his endorsement to Donalds, it is possible that he may endorse Casey DeSantis as well, a move Trump has done before. 

During the 2024 election, Trump endorsed two Republicans seeking election in one of Arizona’s congressional districts. 

Matt Gaetz

Former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz has signaled his intent to run for governor.

“I have a compelling vision for the state,” Gaetz told the Tampa Bay Times in January.

Gaetz won his fifth term in the House of Representatives in November and then was tapped by Trump to lead the Justice Department. However, allegations of Gaetz being involved in sexual indiscretions with minors led him to withdraw his name for consideration. He also shortly after resigned from his congressional seat in an effort to prevent the release of a House Ethics report on him regarding the allegations against him. The report was ultimately released.

Gaetz shared that he didn’t think the sexual misconduct allegations will be a hindrance to his campaign as he says those “lies have been circling” him “for years.” 

David Jolly

David Jolly appears to be Democrats’ best chance to take control of Florida. 

“I am very seriously considering a run for governor,” Jolly said on Tuesday. “It’s clear to me there is a coalition of Floridians that want change.”

Democrats face an uphill battle to win the governor’s seat as no Democrat holds statewide elected office in Florida.

Jolly, a former Republican congressman, left the Republican Party in 2018. He has been a frequent commentator on MSNBC and a strong critic of both Trump and Ron DeSantis. 

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Chris Korge, the Democratic National Committee finance chairman, told Politico he predicts Jolly will be able to bring in strong fundraising numbers and is a “very interesting candidate.” 

“He’s certainly in the middle more — and in Florida, clearly the electorate is more middle, middle-right,” Korge said. “I would not count him out winning a primary.”