Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
27.1%
29.9%
10.7%
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$3.3M
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Current roleOther
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age45 years old (Jun 26, 1980)
GenderFemale
LocationFlorida
BackgroundFirst Lady of Florida
EducationCollege of Charleston (B.A., Economics)
Notable personal detailsJill Casey DeSantis is an American former television journalist who has served as First Lady of Florida since 2019 as the wife of Governor Ron DeSantis. She is a College of Charleston graduate and worked as a producer and on-air host for the PGA Tour, then as a reporter/anchor in Jacksonville, Florida. As first lady, she has led initiatives focused on children and families, mental health, and the Hope Florida program, and she has publicly discussed her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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The candidate emphasizes medical freedom (opposing mRNA vaccine mandates and pushing protections for patients' vaccination status) while promoting targeted state healthcare initiatives such as mental health, substance-abuse programs, cancer research funding, and a private-sector-oriented Hope Florida program aimed at reducing dependence on government aid. The record shows advocacy for limiting federal vaccine recommendations for children and making state protections against mandates permanent.
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Casey DeSantis has expressed pro-life views and publicly supported pro-life events and messaging, including comments identifying as "pro-family" and "pro-life." Her public statements align with restricting abortion access and supporting policies that protect unborn life while promoting family-support measures.
Casey DeSantis, as Florida’s First Lady, has promoted water quality, conservation, and state resiliency initiatives and has participated in launches and programs focused on environmental stewardship. Her public activity emphasizes conservation and resilience but does not present clear support for aggressive emissions reductions or broad clean-energy policy goals. Public materials document advocacy for protecting Florida’s natural resources and resiliency projects rather than specific climate or energy-transition policies.
The candidate has publicly promoted expanded gun rights in Florida, including support for open carry and proposals to reduce taxes on firearms and ammunition. Statements and social posts advocate making Florida more permissive on carrying firearms while framing the changes as protecting the Second Amendment and supporting gun owners.
Casey DeSantis is in the news as a contender in Florida’s GOP gubernatorial primary, where new polling shows she trails Rep. Byron Donalds, especially when voters are told Donalds has Donald Trump’s endorsement. The same polling suggests endorsements could be decisive, with Trump’s backing sharply boosting Donalds’ support and reducing hers. Separate statewide polling also suggests Democrats may have an opening in Florida in 2026, with early general-election matchups showing only single-digit Republican leads.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.