TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican donors gathered last week in Palm Beach County where conversations about Casey DeSantis running for Florida governor in 2026 gained momentum, NBC News reports.

With Gov. Ron DeSantis facing term limits, speculation about Casey DeSantis entering the political arena has persisted for years. A prominent figure on her husband’s campaign trail, she has long been viewed as a potential candidate. Now, five individuals familiar with discussions at the donor event and her thought process told NBC News that she is giving the idea real consideration.

“I would say this: Donors have been encouraging her to run. While it’s not something she has previously sought, their enthusiasm is making her pause and listen,” a source familiar with her thinking said.

Casey DeSantis did not respond to NBC’s requests for comment.

Rep. Byron Donalds, a staunch Trump ally, is the only Republican so far who has publicly expressed interest in running.

“There’s a real possibility she runs,” another source said, though they noted it’s uncertain whether she is leaning toward making it official, NBC reports.

“When people talk about me running for governor, I think it speaks highly about the governor himself,” DeSantis said on the Conservative Review podcast in May. “I think people see me and are happy with everything he has done for Florida.” 

“When people say, ‘Oh, you should run,’ it’s because Gov. DeSantis is a rock star, and people are proud of what he has done for the state,” she added.

If Casey DeSantis enters the race, it could set the stage for a high-stakes battle between Trump and her husband’s political circles.