Ron DeSantis went right back to work after his Presidential run. But there’s an issue right around the corner.
As Governor Ron DeSantis just received terrible replacement news.
Donald Trump easily dispensed of any competition he had on his way to the Republican nomination for President, including his primary opponent Ron DeSantis, who has earned a ton of flowers from the conservative and more libertarian base that also supports Donald Trump. He’s turned Florida deep red and has truly turned the state around in so many ways. Today, the state of Florida posts budget surpluses and is regularly cutting taxes for its citizens and the state has also grown safer on Ron DeSantis’s watch.
Ron DeSantis has some thinking to do about what’s going to happen when he leaves office in January of 2027 when his term ends. Many suggest that he would be a top candidate for a second bid for President as a Republican nominee, though that nomination will be highly coveted and full of other top prospects. Still, DeSantis would have a strong bid, being able to say that he is easily the most successful Republican Governor of the last twenty or so years. Though, we don’t know if he even wants to run for office again in 2028.
The real question will be who will replace Ron DeSantis after his term ends in early 2027? He’s been a unique figure and the future of the state certainly hangs in the balance. Will the next Republican follow in DeSantis’s footsteps and take his roadmap to improving the state? Or will the next Republican gubernatorial candidate beat their own drum and breakaway from the DeSantis leadership strategy? Those who are fans of DeSantis might want to brace for the possibility that someone very unlike DeSantis will step in after Ron.
Rumors Fly On Potential DeSantis Successor
On Wednesday, former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza weighed in on the political prospects of former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, suggesting that the controversial figure could be on a path to the governor’s mansion in 2026, despite facing significant baggage from his past. Gaetz recently revealed to the Tampa Bay Times that he is considering a run for Florida governor in the upcoming 2026 election. This announcement came just weeks after the release of a report by the House Ethics Committee, which accused Gaetz of paying over ten women for s*xual favors or illicit drugs, including a 17-year-old girl, between 2017 and 2020.
Despite the allegations that have dogged him, Cillizza expressed confidence in Gaetz’s chances, stating that he is likely to emerge as the Republican nominee and has a strong chance of winning the governorship. According to Cillizza, Florida’s political landscape has shifted significantly in recent elections, with the state moving decisively in favor of the Republican Party, making Gaetz a serious contender.
“I know people roll their eyes at this, but I honestly think he’s the frontrunner to be the Republican nominee for governor in 2026, and if he is the Republican nominee, then he’s the favorite to win because Florida has moved in the direction of Republicans in a pretty significant way in the last couple elections,” Cillizza said. “So yes, you could absolutely see a Governor Matt Gaetz at this time in 2027. I don’t think there’s any question.”
Cillizza also mentioned other potential contenders for the Republican nomination, including Casey DeSantis, the first lady of Florida, Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. However, he noted that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who will be term-limited in 2026, is expected to appoint Moody to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate, once Rubio is confirmed as Secretary of State.
“Ron DeSantis … said that he would make a decision on filling the likely vacancy created by Marco Rubio being confirmed as secretary of state, which hasn’t happened yet but we expect will, that DeSantis said he would fill that vacancy or announce his choice to fill that vacancy in early January,” Cillizza explained. “Well, look at the calendar — we’re in early January, people. I think Gaetz wanted to get out in front of all the chatter that will be set off about 2026 once DeSantis makes that pick.”
Cillizza suggested that Gaetz’s decision to announce his interest in running for governor now is likely a tactical move to ensure that other potential candidates understand he is a serious contender. “I think Gaetz wanted to make clear to everyone whose name I just mentioned — Byron Donalds and Wilton Simpson and Casey DeSantis and Ashley Moody — that yes, he is probably running for governor,” Cillizza noted. “And, you know, he’s going to be a pretty formidable candidate even with all the baggage he brings to the race … you should take Gaetz’s potential candidacy — I think he’s going to run — seriously because I do think, given how powerful he is within the MAGA movement both in Florida and nationally, he’s probably the favorite. Even with everything under — all the water under the bridge — he’s probably still the favorite to be the Republican nominee for governor and the next governor of Florida.”
Cillizza emphasized that while Gaetz’s past controversies are well known, his strong influence within the MAGA movement, both in Florida and nationally, makes him a powerful force within the Republican Party. This connection could help him overcome any negative perceptions and put him in a strong position to secure the nomination and potentially the governorship in 2026.
Despite the scandals surrounding him, Gaetz’s alignment with the Republican base, particularly within the MAGA faction, could make him a dominant contender in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
The Conservative Column will bring you any major updates from Ron DeSantis and his current Florida state administration.
