Hope vs. Hype?: The Florida Title Fight

Casey The Contender vs Byron The Pretender

There are moments in politics when fate, not polls, demands that the right person step forward. Florida, a beacon of conservative governance and now the nervous system of American federalism, is approaching such a moment. As the post-DeSantis era approaches, the question of his successor is no longer an abstraction. It is a matter of safeguarding what was built—not in name only, but in practice.

And so, like a sudden clearing in a dense jungle of punditry and ambition, a possibility has emerged—perhaps not likely, but tantalizingly possible: what if Casey DeSantis runs for Governor?

Cue the tremors in the consultant class, the desperate tweets from low-energy congressmen, and the think pieces already lamenting "dynasty politics." Spare me. If there is to be a race, let us have it. But let us also be clear-eyed about it.

Casey DeSantis would not be just an extension of her husband’s legacy, but c’mon that alone is such a huge selling point. In a race against Byron Donalds Casey would be the most qualified candidate in the race by experience, ideology, and demonstration of principle—a leader in her own right. If she were to enter, it would not be a coronation. It would be an intervention, a reminder that Florida has a legacy to uphold.

The Mediocrity of Byron Donalds

Now, to the unfortunate matter of Byron Donalds, whose political ambition has grown in inverse proportion to his accomplishments. To paraphrase myself from an earlier article, Donalds mistakes proximity to power for possession of it. And he has spent the better part of his public life rehearsing the role of a movement leader without ever showing up for rehearsal.

He is not a thinker. He is not a doer. He is, as ever, a tweeter. And despite the operatic inflections of “MAGA” laced into every sentence, he has consistently undermined conservative policy, echoed progressive media framing, and—when not performing—disappeared from every substantive fight Florida has faced.

Let us recall: Donalds, on the matter of Florida’s state-approved education curriculum, parroted Kamala Harris's talking points and undermined the very standards written by Black scholars to empower—not patronize—young minds. Not only did he miss the nuance; he accused DeSantis of promoting slavery as a good thing. That’s not just wrong—it’s reckless.

And then, during a critical moment when the legislature moved to neuter the Governor’s power on immigration enforcement, Donalds was nowhere. The microphone was on. He chose silence.

This isn’t courage. This is calculation. The sort that hopes to win office not by conviction, but by name recognition, Fox News appearances, and a Trump endorsement as a golden ticket. I’m reminded of the child who stands near the finish line and hopes to be mistaken for having run the race.

Casey’s Record: Not a Proxy, But a Partner

Now compare that to Casey DeSantis, who didn’t merely occupy the Governor’s Mansion—she helped shape its mission.

Hope Florida, which she created, is not a charity nor a photo-op. It is a robust implementation of conservative subsidiarity—empowering faith-based groups, local nonprofits, and community members to aid those in need without expanding the role of government. This isn’t theory. This isn’t rhetoric. This is the conservative ideal made manifest.

And then came cancer. Most would have stepped back. Casey stepped forward. She launched Florida Cancer Connect, fought to secure record funding for cancer research, and used her story to build bridges between policy and people.

Disaster relief? She led fundraising efforts after Hurricane Ian, raising over $60 million in private donations and overseeing their targeted deployment. She didn’t wait for FEMA. She didn’t wait for Washington. She acted.

In short: Casey DeSantis governs. Byron Donalds performs.

What Is Conservatism For?

We have arrived at a moment when some confuse conservatism with a branding opportunity. They believe that to “own the libs” is a substitute for governing, that quoting Trump in a soundbite is a proper replacement for reading a budget or writing a bill.

But conservatism—real conservatism—is a discipline. It is the belief that government exists to preserve the institutions that make liberty possible. It is the application of principle to public order, not a posture adopted to gain attention from political influencers.

Casey DeSantis has lived this. She has shown that subsidiarity, compassion, tradition, and courage are not mutually exclusive. She has given conservatives a blueprint for purpose-driven governance that goes beyond slogans and into the marrow of civic life.

And Byron Donalds? He offers none of this. He is the Kari Lake of Herschel Walkers—a simulacrum of strength with none of its substance. His candidacy is not rooted in service, but in spectacle.

Why She Must Run

If Casey DeSantis enters this race, it will not be to wield influence, but to preserve it. As I’ve written before Florida has been the New Byzantium of American conservatism—a model of discipline, order, and courage in a chaotic empire. We cannot afford to hand its keys to a man who, when asked about the most pressing issues, offers shrugs wrapped in slogans.

The question is not whether Casey DeSantis can win. It is whether Florida will accept anything less.

We’ve seen what happens when unserious Trump-endorsed candidates win primaries only to collapse in general elections: Daniel Cameron in Kentucky. Kari Lake in Arizona. Herschel Walker in Georgia. Is that really the future Florida wants?

No. Florida deserves better. And Casey DeSantis, should she answer the call, is ready to be the best.

This post is public. If you believe Florida deserves serious leadership grounded in conservative principle, share it widely.
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