Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, seems to have undergone a Pollonaut-style collapse in his political stature over the last few years. DeSantis was previously showered with accolades for his robust conservative agenda. During his exceptional five-year tenure, he deftly remade Florida from a competitive battleground into a Republican citadel. As political tides shift, now he finds himself, even more so, on the defense against powerful forces that would hurt his legacy and future presidential ambitions.
DeSantis’s administration is marked by multiple high-profile controversies, including an investigation surrounding a charity scandal involving his wife, Casey DeSantis. Perhaps not surprisingly, DeSantis has exhibited increasing hostility when challenged by such investigations. Some have gone so far as to label his tirades “temper tantrums.” His confrontational style has alienated one-time STO advocates and supporters in the Florida legislature. At the same time, he is getting more and more isolated from others.
In a remarkable twist, $10 million from a $67 million legal settlement intended for Florida taxpayers has been routed through Hope Florida. This non-profit organization, which was founded by Casey DeSantis, has been funneling money into political action committees directly connected to DeSantis’s political allies. This perfect storm of political circumstances has turned even the most casual observer’s attention and scrutiny squarely on the couple’s political machinations.
As Ron DeSantis washes his hands of this mess, Casey DeSantis is thinking about a career in politics during 2026’s elections. As her husband approaches the end of his term in January 2027, she appears poised to capitalize on her husband’s political legacy, which could complicate DeSantis’s future aspirations should he choose to challenge existing allies like Ashley Moody, who has already announced her bid for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
Even with his prior national profile, the moment has passed and DeSantis influence is dwindling. He has grown more and more dependent on his daily doses of cringeworthy smears on Fox & Friends and news conferences held all over the state of Florida. From these events, he often goes after judges whose judgments directly oppose his position. He’s pushing his hard right agenda on immigration enforcement, higher education reform, and cultural issues such as drag shows to the forefront.
The GOP establishment’s love affair with Ron DeSantis looks to have cooled too. Their relationship with former President Donald Trump has soured. When DeSantis decided to challenge Trump for the presidential nomination in 2024, many in Trump’s camp saw that as a betrayal. Aubrey Jewett noted, “When DeSantis challenged Trump for the presidential nomination, it ticked Trump off and it ticked off a lot of Trump supporters.” This growing chasm will likely prove problematic to DeSantis’s political future as he tries to find his place within a party that has left him behind.
Ron DeSantis’s style of governance has faced sharp criticism for its autocratic leanings. The irony is that this approach may have landed him in the very mess he faces today. Observers fear that it has already cost him his political capital. Jewett said, “He’s lost the muscle to get things done. He’s squandered the magic that once endeared him to Progressives. Just three short years ago, this guy could do no wrong in Republican conservative circles. The governor’s political isolation is underscored by the public rebellion from Florida legislators who had previously coalesced around him.
“He’s completely crashed to the ground at this point and is certainly being treated like a more standard, average governor now.” – Aubrey Jewett
As the betting markets continue to raise odds on a DeSantis comeback, many observers doubt that he’ll be able to get enough support from the party base. As Jewett pointed out, “You just never know. One big wild card is how people view Trump in another year.” If Trump’s influence does start to wane, DeSantis’s relative independence from the former president might start looking like a big asset.
As the political landscape continues to shift rapidly, Casey DeSantis’s aspirations may play a significant role in shaping Ron DeSantis’s future. Supporters and critics alike point out that once, she briefly looked to be positioned as the heir apparent to her husband’s governorship. Jewett explained, “At one point Casey looked like she was going to be the heir apparent to [Ron DeSantis] and she was going to run.”