Although Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not endorsed a candidate in this month’s crowded GOP gubernatorial primary, he provided insight into who he thinks would make a good governor.

DeSantis said former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner would be a “good governor.”

The term-limited governor said he questioned Renner’s strategy to become known in the Sunshine State.

When Renner first launched his campaign in 2025, DeSantis called it “ill-advised.”

“He’s got a great record of policy,” DeSantis said.

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“What’s your strategy to get known? How do you get known to people?” he questioned.

“That’s just something that’s very difficult in our state. And honestly, it’s difficult in many places around the country with these primaries,” he continued.

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Any of the four GOP front-runners would benefit from DeSantis’ endorsement.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leads the race and has the backing of President Donald Trump and a heavy war chest. But even as prominent DeSantis allies have endorsed Donalds, DeSantis himself has refused to do so.

DeSantis on Thursday also appeared to take a veiled attack at Donalds, saying, “What goes into winning it [the race] doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a good governor.”

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who frequently makes known that he was appointed by DeSantis, is still hoping for his boss’ support. The governor has also stayed quiet on the candidacy of businessman James Fishback, one of the other high-profile Republicans running.

“In 12 days, Republican voters will decide the GOP primary. I look forward to working with Governor DeSantis to keep Florida as the best state in America. We both agree that David Jolly and the Democrats cannot lead Florida into the future,” Donalds responded to the governor’s comments about Renner, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

“Being governor is different than winning governor,” DeSantis said.

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DeSantis suggested having local nominating conventions to prevent money and special interests from having as much influence on elections.

“They used to use these nominating conventions where you would elect people very locally, which the money wouldn’t have a big of impact,” DeSantis said.

“They have a convention and then they nominate people for the party. That’s really, I think, true grassroots,” he continued.

DeSantis said it’s now mostly about “who has the most special interests supporting PACs to educate.”

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FOX 13 Tampa Bay noted:

The Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds is leading most polls, with one in particular putting him 31 points ahead of his closest rival, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.

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