Disney Has Another DeSantis Problem

After years of feuding, The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis decided to put aside their differences and work together to expand the Walt Disney World Resort. The two never resolved their differences, but that’s not the point.

Ron DeSantis, with a shocked expression, against the iconic Disney World EPCOT. — Credit: Inside the Magic

Sure, the two sides are like those high school kids who really hated each other but were forced to work together on a group project. Both sides knew that after graduation, they’d never have to see each other again.

In this case, Governor Ron DeSantis would be out of office in 2026, and hopefully, for Disney’s sake, a new governor who was sympathetic to the largest employer in the state would take his place. And if that governor wasn’t sympathetic, at least Disney could find a way to influence them with truckloads of cash.

However, Disney should be careful what it wishes for. If a new poll is any indication, the next governor of Florida could be another DeSantis.

Ron DeSantis is standing in front of a backdrop featuring red and white flags. He has short brown hair and is speaking or making a gesture with his right hand. — Credit: First Coast News

According to a recent poll conducted by Florida Politics, many voters are still undecided about who they want to replace Governor DeSantis among elected officials. The poll had Florida Representative Matt Gaetz in the lead with 12 percent.

However, when the poll included other Florida Republicans, including those who had not been elected, the outcome was completely different. Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis received the highest percentage of votes, at 22 percent.

A poll conducted in June by Florida Atlantic University had Casey DeSantis at 38 percent, well ahead of Matt Gaetz and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, both of whom have shown interest in becoming the next Florida governor.

A woman, wearing a red sleeveless top and beige pants, stands with three children next to an American flag. In a separate image, she kneels on a sports field with a young boy wearing a football jersey while spectators fill the stands in the background. — Credit: @caseydesantis on Instagram

All the polls showing Casey DeSantis ahead of her rivals were conducted among Republican voters, who will decide their nominee. It is uncertain if she would have the support of all voters in the state.

Beyond her support among all Florida voters, it is also uncertain if Casey DeSantis is interested in running for governor. After the June release of the Florida Atlantic University poll, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis classified his wife’s interest in the job as “zero.”

However, a lot can happen in the next year. Florida’s First Lady would first have to wade through a crowded field of Republicans to win the nomination and then face a general election against her Democratic challenger. There is also the problem of her husband, who will most likely run for President in 2028 no matter who wins this election.

So, like Al Pacino in Godfather Part III, just when they thought they were out, the DeSantis family pulls them back in.

What do you think of Casey DeSantis as the next Florida governor?