Former Republican Presidential Candidate Considers Replacing Governor Ron DeSantis

Interesting.

A former Republican presidential candidate is reportedly weighing the possibility of challenging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The move signals growing tension within the GOP as party figures look ahead to the state’s political future.

Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a Republican who briefly ran for president in 2024, is now weighing a potential campaign for Florida governor in 2026. With Governor Ron DeSantis nearing the end of his second and final term, Suarez is among several names being floated as possible contenders to succeed him. During an event hosted by Axios ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Suarez addressed speculation about his political future and confirmed that he is seriously considering a run.

“I’m not saying I’m completely not considering it. I certainly have considered it,” Suarez said, responding to a direct question about his interest in the governor’s race. While he stopped short of announcing an official bid, his remarks made it clear that the idea is very much on the table. His potential candidacy adds a new layer of intrigue to what’s expected to be a high-profile and competitive Republican primary.

However, Suarez acknowledged that the political landscape has already begun to take shape. Representative Byron Donalds, a rising conservative figure from Florida, has officially launched his campaign and secured a significant early advantage: the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Suarez admitted that Trump’s backing could be a major obstacle for other Republicans entering the race. “The president has weighed in on the governor’s race in a way that makes it hard,” Suarez said, referring to Trump’s endorsement of Donalds.

Despite the challenge, Suarez has not ruled himself out. He suggested there could be other ways for him to contribute, but he also took the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments as mayor. Suarez pointed to his leadership in making Miami a more attractive city for businesses, his efforts to keep taxes low, and his work in reducing crime. One of his proudest achievements, he noted, was bringing the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Miami, a move that boosted the city’s global profile and economy.

Suarez has hinted at higher political ambitions before. During the 2024 presidential race, he launched a short-lived campaign that ended early in the GOP primary season. Still, his national exposure and ties to influential figures in the Republican Party could give him a platform for a statewide run. At last year’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, he told NBC News that another political campaign could be in his future.

As the 2026 gubernatorial race takes shape, it remains to be seen whether Suarez will officially enter the race. With big names like Byron Donalds already in the running and Trump’s endorsement reshaping the field, Suarez will have to carefully weigh his chances. Nonetheless, his comments this week suggest that he’s far from leaving politics behind—and he may still have his eyes set on Tallahassee.

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