The Trump administration wants to wipe out Gov. Ron DeSantis’s tight hold over Florida Republican politics during the upcoming 2026 elections, ensuring President Donald Trump’s pick, Byron Donalds, has White House favorites in his Cabinet.
The White House Recruitment Drive
During recent meetings at the White House with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, two prominent Florida legislators received some unexpected career advice: consider running for statewide office against sitting cabinet members appointed by Governor DeSantis.
House Speaker Daniel Perez was encouraged to run for Attorney General, setting up a potential showdown with current AG James Uthmeier. Meanwhile, Representative Kevin Steele is being courted to challenge Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
These moves signal a continuation of the Trump-DeSantis rivalry that played out during the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
The Attorney General Race: Perez vs. Uthmeier
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican, has emerged as DeSantis’ most effective legislative opponents. Perez’s relationship with the Governor has been notably “fractious,” making him an ideal Trump-backed challenger.
Why Perez is attractive to Trump’s team:
- He’s successfully led House opposition to several DeSantis initiatives
- Under his leadership, the House investigated a scandal involving Uthmeier and Medicaid settlement funds (Hope Florida+)
- He resisted DeSantis’ preemptive immigration crackdown proposals and shut down a special session called by the Governor
The Uthmeier factor: James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ appointee, managed the Governor’s failed presidential campaign and has been at the center of several controversies, including the Medicaid settlement investigation. He constantly seeks media attention, often threatening local elected officials, to bolster his chances in the 2026 campaign.
Interestingly, Trump previously praised Uthmeier during a tour of the proposed facility, with Perez also in attendance despite their tensions with DeSantis.
The CFO Race: Steele vs. Ingoglia
The Chief Financial Officer race presents a different dynamic. Kevin Steele, representing House District 55 in Pasco County, lacks the statewide name recognition of his potential opponent but could benefit significantly from Trump’s endorsement.
Steele’s background:
- Tampa native with degrees from Hillsborough Community College and University of South Florida
- Founded healthcare technology company DataLink in 2001
- Has represented his district since 2022
Ingoglia’s advantages:
- Former Chair of the Republican Party of Florida
- Legislative reputation as a government overreach hawk (using the handle “@GovGoneWild”)
- Recently secured endorsements from dozens of Tampa Bay area officials
- Established relationships with GOP power brokers statewide
However, as Steele noted after his White House meeting: “My meetings at the White House made clear that Florida needs a CFO who won’t gamble with our future”—a direct shot at Ingoglia’s appointment.
Trump’s Continued Influence
A Trump endorsement carries enormous weight in today’s GOP, potentially neutralizing incumbency advantages and name recognition disparities. The President’s willingness to back challenges to DeSantis appointees demonstrates his continued political reach in Florida.
The fact that Trump’s team feels comfortable recruiting challengers to DeSantis’ cabinet picks suggests the Governor’s political capital has decreased since his failed presidential run. The successful legislative pushback led by Perez has already demonstrated limits to DeSantis’ influence.
These races could serve as a broader test of strength between the Trump and DeSantis factions within the Republican Party, potentially influencing future political dynamics in the crucial swing state.
The proxy fight also sends a message to all of DeSantis’ appointees over the past year that their time in power has an expiration date.
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