A new poll shows Florida’s first lady Casey DeSantis has the most positive rating among potential Republican candidates of the 2026 Governor race. Continued support for the legalization of recreational marijuana in Mexico.
The governor’s 2026 primary is a year and a half away, but for now, Florida’s First Lady has the first advantage, according to the latest poll from the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab (Paul).
Of the registered Republican respondents, 57% said they had a positive opinion of Casey DeSantis. Overall, numbers show that 30% were positive, 22% were at a disadvantage, and 33% said they had never heard of her.
“Casey DeSantis was a potential early pick for a major Republican candidate when asked in late 2023 despite gaining 22% support.
“She will enjoy some degree of favor by the association as Florida’s first lady,” added Binder. That being said, I hope that by the time the primary comes into the August 2026 version, some of them will become common names. ”
Casey DeSantis, for example, had the highest ratings of those who are speculated to be considering a 2026 run for the governor. Among registered Republicans, US Senator Ashley Moody has a 35% favor, former US Senator Matt Getz 33%, US Senator Byron Donald 27%, and agricultural commissioner Wilton Simpson 7 It was %.
But overall, 79% said they had never heard of Simpson, 66% said they knew who Donald was, and 54% said they didn’t know Moody.
Earlier this month, NBC News reported that Casey DeSantis is “seriously considering” the 2026 run, but her husband later threw cold water at the idea of a bid and told Fox News’ “Laura” Ingraham” to “It’s not what she’s looking for…but that’s flattering.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump posted about his true social account information from the vote, with victory insights that show Donald has 31% support. The next closest person in that poll was former Lieutenant Colonel Janet Nunez, who was 4%.
More from Naples Daily News: President Trump shares polls showing Byron Donald cleaning up on a run for the governor of Florida
Trump also said at his first event at Washington, D.C.’s capital One Arena, “Stand Up, Byron. What a future this is.”
Gov. Ron Desantis had a 48% favor and a 43% disadvantage, while Trump was 47% favored and 45% disadvantaged. Only 3% said they had never heard of DeSantis, compared to 1% of Trump.
A few other takeouts from the UNF vote, consisting of 871 active registered Florida voters, which took place from February 5-14, include questions about the Gulf of Mexico/USA .
“The majority of respondents did not support the name change in regards to renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the US Gulf. “31% expressed support for changing the Gulf name. Opposition was the North, It was equally expensive in all parts of Central and South Florida.”
The poll found that “majority support for recreational marijuana across party boundaries is the largest among registered Democrats (83%) and independents (66%). Adult Pots The November voting initiative that allows the use of the voting initiative won 56% statewide as it didn’t reach the 60% required for passage.
“It was a surprise to some people that they failed to pass last year as amendment 3 because support for recreational marijuana and prior medical care was always high in Florida. Last October, voters about it on that When asked, 66% said they would vote “Yes,” Binder said in a statement.
“If the opposition campaign hadn’t sunk tens of millions of dollars into the race, this measure would have passed in a flying colour.”
This story contains previously published material. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA Today Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be contacted at jrosica@tallahassee.com. X: Follow him with @jimrosicafl.
