Politics
Casey DeSantis holds narrow edge over Byron Donalds among Florida Republicans
Florida’s First Lady hasn’t committed to a run for Governor. But a new poll says she’s in good shape if she decides to make that move.
A survey of Florida Republicans by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) shows Casey DeSantis narrowly leading U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.
DeSantis has 32% support, while the Naples Republican has 29%. That lead is inside the 3.9-percentage-point margin of error. Also worth noting: two in five Republicans haven’t heard of Donalds, a third-term Congressman, yet ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ has achieved near-universal name ID in a matter of weeks.
Other choices seem to be nonstarters, with 18% of the 797 respondents saying they don’t know who they would support. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is in a distant third at 8%, and “someone else” has at 7% support. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has 2% support, while Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has 1%.
Interestingly, those who voted in last year’s Presidential Primary break differently than those who didn’t in the DeSantis-Donalds divide.
Among those who didn’t vote in March 2024, 37% support DeSantis while 23% back Donalds. Meanwhile, among those who did participate in the Primary, the numbers flip: 37% back Donalds, while 22% back DeSantis.
Recall that by the time Florida had a Primary, Gov. Ron DeSantis had long since suspended his campaign.
But Dr. Michael Binder, UNF PORL faculty director and professor of political science, believes people who voted in that ultimately ornamental Primary may look more like August voters than those who did not.
“It’s important to note that among folks who voted in the last primary, Donalds is 15 points ahead of DeSantis, and it’s likely those same folks will be the ones voting next August, so this race might not actually be as close as it appears,” Binder added.
DeSantis leads Donalds among women, Hispanics and Latinos, among voters in North and Central Florida, and among those under 65. Donalds leads with men, respondents aged 65 and older, and South Florida voters.
Poll respondents approve of both Donalds and Casey DeSantis, but she is both better known and more popular despite President Donald Trump backing the Congressman.
She has 57% approval against 13% disapproval, compared to Donalds’ 43% favorable rating versus 7% unfavorable. Despite the divide among Republicans based on whether they voted in the 2024 Presidential Primary, she has higher raw approval numbers with both groups.
Meanwhile, a scandal with tangential links to the First Lady doesn’t seem to be on the radar of Florida Republicans.
A full 71% of Republicans never heard of or don’t know what they think of the Hope Florida Foundation. Meanwhile, 23% approve of the nonprofit, while 6% do not.
The organization’s use of $10 million in settlement funds from Medicaid provider Centene for political advertising after they were passed through two other committees was a major talking point during the 2025 Legislative Session.
The $10 million came from Centene to Hope Florida as part of a $67 million settlement for overbilling Medicaid.
From there, two political action committees (Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society from Drugs) requested $5 million each from the Hope Florida Foundation.
Money to Secure Florida’s Future was earmarked explicitly for a “long-term, targeted business partner recruitment strategy and public awareness campaign.”
The funds to Save Our Society from Drugs were intended for “developing and implementing strategies that directly address the substance use crisis facing our communities.”
After securing that money, the “Keep Florida Clean” political action committee, which is chaired by current Attorney General James Uthmeier, got donations from the groups totaling $8.5 million.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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