President Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for Florida governor is revealing fissures among the state’s Republicans in a state that has become the center of the GOP universe. Trump’s endorsement is extremely valuable in Florida given his widespread popularity in the state.

- Casey DeSantis introduces her husband, Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee,

The Florida governor's race could set up a battle between the president and one of the country's most prominent GOP governors.

That leaves Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, as the last Florida Cabinet official still with potential to get in the governor’s race. He is a former Senate President who received Trump’s endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign in 2022.

Another GOP consultant argued that Casey DeSantis — who had launched several high-profile initiatives including one called Hope Florida — already had a record rivaling that of other governors.