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17h ago

Florida GOP Governor’s Race Heats Up With Gaetz Considering Entry

Byron Donalds leads with Trump’s endorsement, but potential bids from Casey DeSantis and Matt Gaetz could reshape the 2026 primary landscape.

Former Representative Matt Gaetz speaks to a reporter in Washington, D.C. on April 19, 2024.
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Matt Gaetz at the Capitol on Feb. 15, 2024.
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Overview

  • Rep. Byron Donalds remains the Trump-backed front-runner, having raised over $14 million, including major contributions from national GOP donors.
  • Matt Gaetz is publicly considering a gubernatorial bid, complicating the field and potentially creating a multi-way Republican primary.
  • Casey DeSantis has not ruled out running, with recent public appearances seen as testing the waters despite scrutiny over the Hope Florida program.
  • A Leon County investigation into alleged misappropriation of $10 million tied to Hope Florida continues to cast uncertainty on Casey DeSantis’s viability.
  • Insiders suggest a crowded primary could allow a candidate to win the GOP nomination with as little as 30% of the vote, raising the stakes for strategic decisions.