If President-elect Donald Trump taps Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to be his next secretary of defense over current nominee Pete Hegseth, it will upend the 2026 governor race in the Sunshine State. Hegseth’s nomination remains in jeopardy as Republican senators voice growing concerns about his past conduct with women and alcohol,

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB) - If Governor Ron DeSantis ends up heading the defense department, the impact will be historic for the state. It would make Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez the first Republican woman Latina governor in the country.

Should President-elect Trump pick Gov. Ron DeSantis to lead the Defense Department (and should DeSantis accept), his exit would upend Florida's political landscape and scramble its government. Why it matters: Trump's cabinet picks have led to a game of political musical chairs in the Sunshine State,