Gov. Ron DeSantis' refusal to back a clear frontrunner has turned Florida's gubernatorial race into a "Republican family feud" marked by race-baiting and in-fighting — and not even President Donald Trump can stop him, according to a new report.
DeSantis continues to withhold support for Rep. Bryan Donalds and in doing so has allowed an angry swarm of conservatives to hover over the race to control the pivotal swing state, CNN reported Saturday.
“Everybody has tried to talk sense into him, including the president,” a source told CNN. “Ron is leaving without a lot of friends. There’s going to be a big effort to take the shine off of him and he won’t have a platform to defend himself.”
And as DeSantis gambles with his political clout, Donalds combats challengers who use racist rhetoric and face legal challenges over Washington D.C. tax returns and an alleged loan one New York hedge fund company wants back, according to the report.
Candidate James Fishback, 31, has garnered support from antisemite, far-right influencer Nick Fuentes with critiques of Donalds, who is black, that include calling him a "slave to his donors" who would "turn Florida into a Section 8 ghetto," CNN reported.
But Fishback faces two legal challenges as another candidate sues to remove him from the ballot — arguing his Washington D.C. home disqualifies him from claiming seven years' residency in Florida — and a dispute with his former employer, according to the report.
New York hedge fund Greenlight Capital has sued Fishback on allegations that he failed to repay a loan and now wants the $1 million a New York judge ordered he pay in 2025, CNN reported.
Fishback denied D.C. residency to CNN and reportedly plans to appeal.
DeSantis has also refused to support Lt. Gov. Jay Collins or former state House Speaker Paul Renner, both of whom claim they are chipping away at Donalds' support, according to CNN.
"The resulting vacuum has transformed what could have been a straightforward Republican succession into one of the nastiest GOP primary fights of the midterm season," reported CNN.
"DeSantis’ role in the divisive fight has frustrated his remaining allies in the party and left him increasingly isolated as he drifts toward an uncertain political future."