Casey DeSantis

{{Short description|Television show host and First Lady of Florida}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Casey DeSantis

| image = Casey DeSantis, first lady of Florida (cropped).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2019

| office = First Lady of Florida

| governor = Ron DeSantis

| term_label = Assumed role

| term_start = January 8, 2019

| status = Current

| predecessor = Ann Scott

| birth_name = Jill Casey Black

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|6|26}}

| birth_place = Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

| party = Republican

| spouse = {{marriage|Ron DeSantis|2009}}

| children = 3

| education = College of Charleston (BS)

| nickname = "Queen of Florida"{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Katie |date=June 4, 2023 |title=Casey DeSantis Is the Walmart Melania |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/casey-desantis-is-the-walmart-melania-trump/ |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=May 10, 2025 }}{{Cite web |last=Rissman |first=Kelly |date=November 6, 2023 |title=Casey DeSantis gushes about her 'Walmart Melania' nickname |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/casey-desantis-walmart-melania-trump-b2442639.html |work=The Independent |access-date=May 10, 2025 }}{{Cite web |last=Gancarski |first=A.G. |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Casey DeSantis embraces Melania Trump comparison |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/638373-casey-desantis-embraces-melania-trump-comparison/ |work=Florida Politics |access-date=May 10, 2025 }}{{Cite web |last=Lakritz |first=Talia |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Casey DeSantis hits back at reports calling her 'Walmart Melania': 'I do shop at Walmart' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/casey-desantis-interview-walmart-melania-ron-desantis-2023-7|work=Business Insider |access-date=May 10, 2025 }}

}}

Jill Casey DeSantis ({{née|Black}}; born June 26, 1980) is an American former news journalist who has been the first lady of Florida since 2019, as the wife of Governor Ron DeSantis.{{cite web |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/entertainment/television/first-coast-living/casey-black-desantis/77-415341397 |title=Casey Black DeSantis |publisher=firstcoastnews.com |date=June 17, 2015 |accessdate=July 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416185225/https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/entertainment/television/first-coast-living/casey-black-desantis/77-415341397 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Manjarres |first1=Javier |title=DeSantis' secret weapon: His wife Casey |url=http://floridianpress.com/2018/01/desantis-secret-weapon-his-wife-casey/ |work=The Floridian |date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024043731/https://floridianpress.com/2018/01/desantis-secret-weapon-his-wife-casey/|archive-date=October 24, 2021}}

Born and raised in Ohio, DeSantis graduated from the College of Charleston, where she competed on the equestrian team. In 2009, she married Ron DeSantis and became a local news broadcaster in Jacksonville. After her husband's victory in 2018, she ended her media career upon becoming the first lady. In 2025, DeSantis became embroiled in the Hope Florida scandal and was investigated by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. Since May 2025, she has been under criminal investigation by the Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office.

DeSantis has publicly expressed interest in being a candidate in the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election.{{Cite news |author=Llanos, Jackie |date=March 21, 2025 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=Florida Phoenix |title=Casey DeSantis on whether she'll run for governor: 'We'll see' |url=https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/casey-desantis-on-whether-shell-run-for-governor-well-see/ |language=en}}

Early life and education

Jill Casey Black was born on June 26, 1980,{{cite news|last=Simmons|first=Robin|title=Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis diagnosed with breast cancer |url=https://wsvn.com/news/local/florida-first-lady-casey-desantis-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/ |website=WSVN |date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308225254/https://wsvn.com/news/local/florida-first-lady-casey-desantis-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/|archive-date=March 8, 2022}}[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/casey-ron-desantis-wife-twitter-ethnicity-b2344799.html Who is Casey DeSantis? What we know about Florida governor Ron’s wife who could become America’s first lady] in Columbus, Ohio,{{cite web | url=https://miamivalleytoday.com/florida-first-lady-casey-desantis-is-a-former-troy-resident/ | title=Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis is a former Troy resident | date=April 15, 2023 }} the second child of Robert Black, an optometrist and former officer in the United States Air Force, and Jeanne Caponigro, a speech-language pathologist{{Cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-who-is-casey-desantis-20221209-eycj74ysjrcx3iap6c55k5mjiy-story.html |title=Who is Casey DeSantis? First lady knows 'what's best for Ron' |date=December 11, 2022 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204030643/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-who-is-casey-desantis-20221209-eycj74ysjrcx3iap6c55k5mjiy-story.html |url-status=live }} and the daughter of a Sicilian immigrant.{{Cite news |last=Schweers |first=Jeffrey |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Who is Casey DeSantis? First lady knows 'what's best for Ron' |work=Orlando Sentinel |type=Digital |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-who-is-casey-desantis-20221209-eycj74ysjrcx3iap6c55k5mjiy-story.html |access-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204030643/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-who-is-casey-desantis-20221209-eycj74ysjrcx3iap6c55k5mjiy-story.html |url-status=live }}

Black graduated from Troy High School in Troy, Ohio, in 1999. She graduated from the College of Charleston, where she received a Bachelor of Science in economics with a minor in French.{{cite news |last1=Nelson-Williams |first1=Keltha |title=Exclusive: Meet Casey DeSantis, Florida's next First Lady |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/politics/meet-casey-desantis-who-many-call-her-husbands-secret-weapon/77-608270191 |accessdate=July 12, 2020 |work=First Coast News |date=October 26, 2018 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416185226/https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/politics/meet-casey-desantis-who-many-call-her-husbands-secret-weapon/77-608270191 |url-status=live }} She competed on its equestrian team.{{Cite web|url=https://miamivalleytoday.com/florida-first-lady-casey-desantis-is-a-former-troy-resident/|title=Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis is a former Troy resident|author=Staff Reports|date=April 15, 2023}}

Media career

Early in her career, DeSantis hosted the Golf Channel programs On The Tee and PGA Tour Today. She was also a local newscaster and anchor for WJXT, in Jacksonville, Florida. She held several positions there, including general assignment reporter, morning anchor, and police reporter.{{cite news|title=Casey Black DeSantis|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/first-coast-living/2015/05/26/casey-desantis-first-coast-living-nbc/27969207/|date=June 17, 2015|archive-date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102115356/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/first-coast-living/2015/05/26/casey-desantis-first-coast-living-nbc/27969207/}}

In 2014, DeSantis was a creator-moderator for The Chat, an hour-long round table panel discussion talk show that aired on Tegna's Jacksonville stations WTLV (NBC) and WJXX (ABC). She hosted the daily local talk show First Coast Living as well as the weekly The American Dream program about entrepreneurs. DeSantis wrote and produced the television documentary Champion, The JT Townsend Story about high school football player J.T. Townsend.{{Cite web|title=JT's Story|url=https://www.jttownsendfoundation.org/jts-story|access-date=August 29, 2022|archive-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101131317/https://www.jttownsendfoundation.org/jts-story|url-status=live}} She also won a regional Suncoast Emmy Award.

In 2018, Florida Politics called Casey "one of the most recognizable faces on Jacksonville television, with long runs at two local news operations."{{Cite web|last=Gancarski|first=A. G.|date=July 30, 2018|title=Casey DeSantis humorously portrays hubby as family man in new Governor's race ad|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/270212-casey-desantis-familiar-to-jacksonville-audiences-makes-statewide-star-turn-in-new-governors-race-ad|website=Florida Politics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627223429/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/270212-casey-desantis-familiar-to-jacksonville-audiences-makes-statewide-star-turn-in-new-governors-race-ad/|archive-date=June 27, 2022}}

First Lady of Florida (2019–present)

File:Melania Trump and Casey DeSantis.jpg, 2019]]

Desantis became first lady of Florida on January 8, 2019, when her husband, Ron DeSantis, became the 46th governor of Florida.

In February 2019, DeSantis established the First Lady's Medal for Courage, Commitment, and Service.{{Cite web|author=Capitol News Service|url=https://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Governor-appoints-First-Lady-to-Children-and-Youth-Cabinet-508031781.html|title=Governor appoints first lady to Children and Youth Cabinet|website=www.wctv.tv|date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524053349/https://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Governor-appoints-First-Lady-to-Children-and-Youth-Cabinet-508031781.html|archive-date=May 24, 2022}} Soon after, she announced Florida's 2019 Black History Month theme as "Celebrating Public Service" where she and the governor honored the winners of Florida's Black History Month student contests and Excellence in Education Award recipients at the Governor's Mansion. DeSantis recognized Mary Ann Carroll, the only female member of the Highwaymen, as Florida's featured artist for the month.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

DeSantis participated in a Recovery Redfish Release to address the impacts of red tide. "I've heard from those throughout Florida who understand that our water must be safe for our families, visitors and economy."{{Cite web|url=https://www.flgov.com/2019/03/15/first-lady-casey-desantis-joins-dep-fwc-cca-and-duke-energy-for-red-tide-recovery-redfish-release/|title=First Lady Casey DeSantis Joins DEP, FWC, CCA and Duke Energy for Red Tide Recovery Redfish Release|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-29|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206200641/https://www.flgov.com/2019/03/15/first-lady-casey-desantis-joins-dep-fwc-cca-and-duke-energy-for-red-tide-recovery-redfish-release/|url-status=live}} DeSantis has hosted listening sessions on Venezuela, hurricane relief, and mental health.

In August 2019, DeSantis presided over the first meeting of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet as its chair.{{cite web |title=First Lady Casey DeSantis Holds First Meeting as Chair of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet |url=https://www.flgov.com/2019/08/23/first-lady-casey-desantis-holds-first-meeting-as-chair-of-the-florida-children-and-youth-cabinet/ |website=Florida Governor's Office |accessdate=July 12, 2020 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110021839/https://www.flgov.com/2019/08/23/first-lady-casey-desantis-holds-first-meeting-as-chair-of-the-florida-children-and-youth-cabinet/ |url-status=live }} During the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband held a roundtable in August 2020 centered on the mental health impact of the pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Cheryl S. |title=Live: Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis hold COVID-19 mental health roundtable in Sarasota |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/08/14/live-gov-ron-desantis-and-first-lady-casey-desantis-hold-covid-mental-health-roundtable-in-sarasota/1094887007/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=The Palm Beach Post |language=en-US}}

According to Politico, DeSantis has taken on a "sort of policy portfolio of her own that ranges from hurricane recovery to issues of mental health" in her role as First Lady.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Michael |date=2023-05-19 |title=The Casey DeSantis Problem: 'His Greatest Asset and His Greatest Liability' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/19/casey-ron-desantis-wife-profile-00097456 |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}

= Hope Florida investigation =

In 2021, DeSantis founded Hope Florida, a charity to connect underprivileged Floridians with government resources, nonprofits, the private sector and religious organizations.{{Cite web |last=Russon |first=Gabrielle |date=2025-04-15 |title=Senate pauses Hope Florida bills as questions swirl about Casey DeSantis' organization |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/732304-senate-pauses-hope-florida-bills-as-questions-swirl-about-casey-desantis-organization/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. |language=en-US}} In early 2025, the Florida House of Representatives launched an investigation into Hope Florida, in particular a transaction in which the foundation received $10 million of the $67 million legal settlement between Centene and Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-24 |title=State House halts investigation into Hope Florida, Casey DeSantis-linked foundation, amid lack of cooperation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/house-halts-hope-florida-probe-casey-ron-desantis/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=CBS Miami |language=en-US}} Hope Florida diverted the settlement proceeds to Secure Florida's Future and Save our Society from Drugs.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-16 |title=Hope Florida Foundation chair admits "mistakes were made," lawmakers demand answers |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/hope-florida-foundation-chair-admits-mistakes-were-made-lawmakers-demand-answers/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=CBS Miami |language=en-US}} These nonprofits then made contributions to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee with ties to DeSantis' husband. Hope Florida's chairman admitted mistakes and "lapses in reporting procedures", including missing federal tax reports. The House halted its investigation on April 24 after Hope Florida and the nonprofits refused to continue cooperating.

On May 20, 2025, State Attorney Jack Campbell of the Second Judicial Circuit Court opened a criminal investigation into the controversy.{{Cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence |last2=Garcia |first2=Justin |last3=Glorioso |first3=Alexandra |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Criminal investigation launched related to Hope Florida, prosecutors say |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/05/20/hope-florida-foundation-desantis-jack-campbell-state-attorney-investigation-medicaid/ |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=May 21, 2025 }}{{Cite news |last=Payne |first=Kate |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Prosecutors open investigation related to Hope Florida Foundation |url=https://apnews.com/article/hope-florida-casey-desantis-investigation-51ae95d15ba57d7c3cbc5fc62cc69497 |work=Associated Press |access-date=May 21, 2025 }}

Political activity

File:Casey DeSantis speaking.jpgIn 2023, Casey DeSantis was honored by the Republican Party of Sarasota as "Stateswoman of the Year", an award that had been earned in the past by individuals including her husband, Ron DeSantis, and other national officeholders.{{Cite web |last=Ogles |first=Jacob |date=2023-04-10 |title=Sarasota Republicans to honor Casey DeSantis as Stateswoman of the Year |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/602074-sarasota-republicans-to-honor-casey-desantis-as-stateswoman-of-the-year/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Florida Politics |language=en-US |quote="That includes former President Donald Trump, who has been honored as Statesman of the Year twice... It also includes Gov. Ron DeSantis, who accepted the award in 2021... Other past Statesmen of the Year include U.S. Sens. Rick Scott, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former Vice President Dick Cheney and Fox News pundit Sean Hannity."}} She became the first woman to receive the distinction.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Zac |date=2023-09-21 |title=Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis to receive Sarasota GOP stateswoman award |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/10/sarasota-republican-event-will-feature-casey-desantis/70098889007/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}

= Ron DeSantis 2024 presidential campaign =

DeSantis was an advisor to her husband's 2024 presidential campaign.{{Cite news |last=Glueck |first=Katie |date=2023-05-24 |title=Florida's First Lady, and Second in Command |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/us/politics/casey-desantis-strategy.html |access-date=2023-05-28 |issn=0362-4331}} The New York Times has noted her role in advising her husband on media strategy and policy matters.{{Cite news |last=Glueck |first=Katie |date=2023-05-24 |title=Florida's First Lady, and Second in Command |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/us/politics/casey-desantis-strategy.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |issn=0362-4331}} In December 2023, she was criticized for telling Republicans nationwide to participate in the Iowa caucus.{{cite web|last=Luscombe|first=Richard|date=9 December 2023|title=Casey DeSantis encourages Republicans nationwide to vote in Iowa caucus|website=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/09/casey-desantis-ron-desantis-iowa-election-fraud|access-date=18 December 2023}}{{cite web|last=Alafriz|first=Olivia|date=9 December 2023|title=Trump hits Casey DeSantis over call for out-of-state backers to be "part of the caucus" in Iowa|website=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/09/trump-hits-casey-desantis-over-false-iowa-caucus-claims-00130952|access-date=18 December 2023}}

= Potential political future =

After receiving the Stateswoman of the Year award, speculation surrounding a potential bid by Casey DeSantis in Florida's 2026 gubernatorial election has emerged.{{Cite web |last=Nicol |first=Ryan |date=2023-07-09 |title=Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics — Week of 7.2.23 |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/622078-winner-and-loser-of-the-week-in-florida-politics-week-of-7-2-23/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Florida Politics |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=While DeSantis struggles with his run for president, who's next for Florida governor? |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/27/florida-governors-race-2026-who-could-replace-ron-desantis/70434941007/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Tallahassee Democrat |language=en-US}} However, Puck reported that a spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign denied her interest in running for office.{{Cite web |last=Palmeri |first=Tara |date=2023-08-18 |title=Imagining "Jillary" DeSantis |url=https://puck.news/imagining-jillary-desantis/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Puck |language=en-US |quote="A DeSantis campaign spokesperson disputed that Casey has any interest whatsoever in her own political career, calling the allegation “categorically false.” But the whispers have been unavoidable since May, when Casey was named Stateswoman of the Year by the Sarasota G.O.P."}}

Personal life

File:DeSantis Family on Election Night, 2022.jpg]]

She met Ron DeSantis, then a naval officer at Naval Station Mayport, on a golf course at the University of North Florida.{{Cite news |last=Lakritz |first=Talia |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Ron DeSantis' wife, Casey, has been instrumental in the Florida governor's rise to fame. Here's a timeline of their relationship. |work=Business Insider |type=Digital |url=https://www.insider.com/ron-desantis-wife-casey-desantis-relationship-timeline#2007-ron-desantis-was-deployed-to-iraq-as-a-lawyer-for-seal-team-one-after-he-and-casey-black-met-on-a-golf-course-and-started-dating-1 |access-date=February 4, 2023}} They married on September 26, 2009,{{Cite web|last=Angbulu|first=Stephen|title=All About Casey DeSantis' Family Life and The Progression of Her Career Until She Became First Lady of Florida|url=https://answersafrica.com/casey-desantis-bio-facts-ron-desantis-wife.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807052616/https://answersafrica.com/casey-desantis-bio-facts-ron-desantis-wife.html|archive-date=August 7, 2021|website=Answers Africa|date=May 8, 2019}} at Walt Disney World Resort, which Ron DeSantis later called "kind of ironic" in the wake of his battle with the company over the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.{{cite news| title=Ron DeSantis admits getting married to Casey DeSantis at Disney World ended up being 'kind of ironic'| url=https://www.businessinsider.com/desantises-reveal-how-they-decided-on-ironic-disney-world-wedding-2023-2| access-date=April 24, 2023| archive-date=April 24, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424224644/https://www.businessinsider.com/desantises-reveal-how-they-decided-on-ironic-disney-world-wedding-2023-2| url-status=live}} They have three children together: two daughters and a son.{{cite news |title=Gov. Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis announce birth of third child, Mamie |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/30/gov-ron-desantis-first-lady-casey-announce-birth-third-child/2924682001/|work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=March 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331232428/https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/30/gov-ron-desantis-first-lady-casey-announce-birth-third-child/2924682001/|archive-date=March 31, 2020}}

On October 4, 2021, her husband announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Kirby|last2=Mower|first2=Lawrence|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/breaking-news/2021/10/04/florida-first-lady-casey-desantis-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/|title=Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis diagnosed with breast cancer|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=October 4, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108231034/https://www.tampabay.com/news/breaking-news/2021/10/04/florida-first-lady-casey-desantis-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/|url-status=live}} On March 3, 2022, she announced that she was cancer-free.{{cite tweet |last=DeSantis |first=Ron |user=GovRonDeSantis |url=https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1499474417403019269 |title=Excited to share this update about First Lady @FLCaseyDeSantis' health |number=1499474417403019269 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304001818/https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1499474417403019269 |via=Twitter |date=March 3, 2022 |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=March 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}

Like her husband, DeSantis is Roman Catholic.{{cite web | url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/casey-desantis-cancer-governor-ron-florida/67-ed984254-0eae-49af-b447-90055bc15c14 | title='She's got an awful lot to live for': Gov. DeSantis puts faith in God as wife battles cancer | date=October 12, 2021 }}