Ron Desantis beats Trump's choice for the governor of Florida

The governor of Florida, Ron Desantis, criticized the representative byon Donalds, which President Donald Trump approved as his potential successor to the state's Governor race in 2026.

At a press conference on Monday, Desantis said that Donalds were “not part of the victories” that the Republicans have achieved in Florida in recent years.

Newsweek Contacted Desantis and Donalds to get a comment outside of regular working hours by e -mail.

Why is it important

The Republicans of the Republican Governor in Florida will probably become a deputy fight between Trump and Desantis, his ally became the political rival. Trump's support from Donalds could hinder the prospects for Floridas First Lady Casey Desantis, rumbling that they are considering a run to replace their husband as a governor.

What to know?

Florida's constitution forbids Desantis to apply for a third term in a row and leave an open republican primary school before the 2026 parliamentary elections.

In a contribution on February 20 about Truth, Trump said that when Donalds decides to run, he will have his “complete and total” confirmation and add: “Run, Byron, run!”

Desantis was asked after Trump's approval from Donalds during a press conference on Monday, where he announced the creation of the Task Force of the State Department of Governmental Efficiency (Doge) in Florida.

Desantis criticized Donalds and other representatives of GOP Florida and said she “not yet done much” to bring Trump's agenda into office since the president's return on January 20.

The governor also argued that Donalds, who has been a US representative since 2021, did not contribute to the Republican victories in Florida, who made the former Swing state into a GOP stronghold under his reign.

Desantis dealt with speculation about his wife's political ambitions and played rumors that Casey Desantis is considering a offer of governorship. He added if she run in 2026, she would “do better” than in 2022 when he won the re -election over the Democrat Charlie Crist with 19 points.

The President and Desantis were once close allies, although the 2018 governor's victory was largely due to Trump's confirmation. Her relationship was tense when Desantis Trump challenged 2024 in the Republican presidential area code.

Desantis seems to make efforts to rebuild the relationship with Trump's Maga base while looking at his political future, including a potential bid in the White House in 2028.

His most recent actions include the exaggeration of hard-line immigration policy and the recognition of Florida to the first state, the Trump's executive regulation, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico into the Golf America.

What people say

The governor of Florida, Ron Desantis, at the press conference on Monday: “Donald Trump has just got into office. I want these congressmen to concentrate on issuing his agenda. The reality is reality, we won victories in Florida. These last years I was simply not part of it.

Desantis about speculation about Casey Desantis for the governor: “She never deviated for anything, right? Because that's just not what she is. But I will tell you the following: I have won with the greatest lead that a Republican ever won a governor race here in Florida. She would do it better than me, there is no question.

President Donald Trump in a social post of February 20: Truth: “I know Byron well, tested it on the highest and most difficult level, and he is a total winner! As a governor, byron would have a big voice and work closely with me to drive our first agenda in America. Byon Donalds would be A really big and powerful governor for Florida and you should choose to run to run, my complete and total support, Byron, run!

What happens next

The primary election in Florida is planned for August 18, 2026.

Donalds did not officially explain his candidacy, but an “announcement that will soon come”, while Trump's confirmation on X, formerly Twitter.