Taxpayer-funded staffers for Ron DeSantis solicit lobbyist cash as his wife considers a 2026 run
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Taxpayer-funded staffers in Florida Gov.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Taxpayer-funded staffers in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office have been making fundraising calls to state lobbyists, asking them to commit to raise money for a DeSantis-aligned political committee as Casey DeSantis considers a campaign for governor, according to five sources who either received the calls or have direct knowledge of them.
The governor’s office and the staffers said to have been on the calls denied that they happened. And Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife, has not yet decided if she will run to succeed him in 2026. But she has openly hinted at the idea, which has increasingly become a point of political intrigue in the state — and prompted DeSantis’ political operation to try to slow the fundraising pace of Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who has already announced his bid for governor and received President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
“It’s kind of a no-brainer for most of us. Of course we will give. He’s the governor,” said one person who said they received a call. Like the others who received or were told about the calls, the person spoke to NBC News on the condition of anonymity in order to freely discuss the conversations without fear of retribution.
“I mean, my kid has to eat,” the person continued.
When asked about the calls, DeSantis’ communications director Bryan Griffin said, “This is completely untrue and I strongly caution you against publishing such potentially defamatory allegations.”
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