President Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for Florida governor is revealing fissures among the state’s Republicans in a state that has become the center of the GOP universe.

Trump’s endorsement is extremely valuable in Florida given his widespread popularity in the state. The public backing of Donalds, who has yet to officially jump into the race, has led many to ask whether the primary is effectively over.

But on Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has also played a starring role in the state’s GOP wins, took a swipe at Donalds, suggesting he has not played a role in conservative wins in that state. The governor then went on to tout his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, as someone who would be able to take his record “to the next level.”

The developments could be setting the stage for a potentially bruising GOP primary, one that resurfaces tensions that go back to DeSantis’s presidential primary against Trump.

DeSantis and Donalds fell out over the congressman endorsing Trump over the governor in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, as well as over state education guidelines set by DeSantis on African American history in 2023.

“Here’s the bottom line: The governor does not want Byron to be the next governor,” said one Florida Republican operative.

Initially, DeSantis had his sights set on then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to be his successor in the state’s GOP primary. However, DeSantis ended up tapping her to replace Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Senate. That appeared to clear the field for Donalds,........

© The Hill