President Donald Trump’s political team in Washington is encouraging Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez to run for Attorney General in 2026.

That would set up a major Republican Primary between Perez and sitting Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier , whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to the Cabinet post earlier this year .

A senior White House official told Florida Politics on Friday that Perez, who has maintained a more fractious relationship with DeSantis than any legislative leader during the Governor’s tenure, should explore a run for the statewide office. The discussion occurred during a trip when Perez and his leadership team visited the White House and met with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance .

Perez, a Miami Republican, ascended to the Speaker

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