Tallahassee, Fla. - Republican donors openly discussed the prospects of Casey Desantis running for governor in 2026 at a party in Palm Beach County last week, which is The first lady of Florida seriously considered the idea for the first time.

Her husband, Governor Ron DeSantis, faces term limits and cannot seek reelection. There have long been speculations about whether Casey was the midstream station in her husband’s campaign, whether she would have one day to run for herself, but the plans seem closer to reality, with five direct familiarity with donor activities and Casey Dees. Casey Desantis's mind process tells NBC News.

"I would say this: I heard donors have been urging her to run, and while that's not what she wants to do, they at least made her stop and listen."

Casey DeSantis is unable to comment in this article.

Her entry into the 2026 Republican primary field that has not yet been set will have a significant ripple effect in Florida and the national political landscape, and potentially in Gov. Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump A proxy war between Presidents Donald Trump.

Another Republican who publicly stated that he was considering running for the governor was Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump ally.

“It’s a real possibility,” another person familiar with the conversation said of Casey Desantis’ chances to run for the governor, although they pointed out that they don’t know yet whether it’s “possible” The situation is that”.

The prospect was primarily political speculation ahead of the donation campaign in South Florida last week. But even then, the idea got enough appeal, and Casey Desantis had to solve it.

“I’ll tell you that when people talk about my campaign for governor, I think it’s highly speaking to the governor herself,” she said in the May “Conservative Review” podcast. “I think when people see me, it’s because they’re so happy with what this governor has done for Florida.

She added: “When people start talking about ‘Oh, you know, you should run, that’s because Governor DeSantis is a rock star, and it’s because people are proud of everything he does for this state.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is believed to be considering doing it with Donalds. Although he doesn't have the nationality of Casey DeSantis or Donalds, he is a well-known statewide elected official in Florida and has already been in the bank for more than $30 million in his past fundraising efforts.

If Casey DeSantis competes, it is almost certain to see race as a proxy war between Trump and her husband.

The two became allies after Trump recognized Ron DeSantis's 2018 governor bid, but when DeSantis faced Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary (Dexantis) was in a high-profile shock when they competed against Trump.

Their relationship is warm, but the potential racial dynamics between the current governor’s wife and the Donalds, widely believed to be candidate Trump’s team will support it, which will resurrect the competition and fight for who is the real king in Florida Republican politics. .

DeSantis and Donalds were once so close that Donalds introduced DeSantis and his family at DeSantis's 2022 Election Night Victory Party. When Donalds acknowledged Trump's presidential primary, the two failed.

Similarly, DeSantis has a tense relationship with Simpson. Last month, the two men openly sent a Republican-led legislature to propose a plan to strip DeSantis of the state of immigration oversight, handing it to Simpson, who was opposed by DeSantis’ voice.

Initially, Desantis hoped former state attorney general Ashley Moody would run for governor with a long-time allies. He thought she was the best prospect to beat Donald, but when Trump chose Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, he finally decided to appoint her as a Senate seat.

With Moody's exit, DeSantis was forced to find another candidate who was consistent with him, who he thought he could become governor.

The governor believes his wife's running is "the best opportunity for the country to set future leaders for future leaders and prevent Simpson or Donald governors," said another source familiar with the thinking.

Donalds' top adviser told NBC News that Casey DeSantis bids for governor but declined to comment further.

The existing tensions between DeSantis and the two have almost recognised the state's two-term governor DeSantis in the governor's race and made him look for candidates he could support to replace him.

DeSantis has said he will be active in the 2026 governor's game.

Last month, Desantis said he would use his state-level political committee, Florida Freedom Foundation, to support the candidate in the 2026 governoral campaign. Last year, he used the commission to beat the state’s voting measures to legalize recreational marijuana, while another would acquire abortion rights in the Florida Constitution.

He posted on X last month. “For the 2026 cycle, the FFF will mobilize more resources (1) to ensure strong gubernatorial candidates and (2) to support strong conservative candidates in the legislative primary.”

This has left many wondering who DeSantis will eventually support. The candidate who answers this question may have lived in the governor’s mansion.

"She's going to run. I think this is the most understandable," said someone familiar with Casey Desantis's thoughts. explain. “There are a lot to be solved, but at this point, the rumor is not only that, but it feels real.”