Staff Reports
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds is formally throwing his hat into the ring for the 2026 race to take the helm in Florida, as Governor Ron DeSantis’s two-term reign comes to an end. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as he enjoys the full-throated endorsement of none other than President Donald Trump. It appears the political stars are aligning nicely for Donalds, who has been a loyal surrograte for Trump and was even considered as a potential running mate in the previous election cycle.
DeSantis himself, fresh from his failed presidential bid and unable to run again due to Florida’s term limits, has yet to make a public endorsement of his own successor. He seems instead to be pushing his wife, Casey DeSantis, as a viable candidate, though it’s hard to say how well that will fly with the Republican base. After all, Donalds has been making waves and doesn’t seem intimidated by the insinuation that he didn’t contribute to DeSantis’s successes. It could be a classic case of sibling rivalry, but in this instance, voters will decide who they feel best embodies their state’s floundering conservative ideals.
Byron Donalds just announced on Hannity that he’s running for governor of Florida. With President Trump's endorsement in the bag it is game over. pic.twitter.com/RtBfc8HbW5
— The Bruiser (@DrHoosierHermit) February 26, 2025
Byron Donalds, at the ripe age of 46, hails from Brooklyn but has made the Sunshine State his home. With an impressive education from Florida State University and a career that started in finance, he was handpicked by then-Governor Rick Scott to ascend the ranks of Florida’s GOP. After entering state politics in 2016, he quickly climbed the ladder and secured a seat in the U.S. House by 2020. His trajectory shows he’s not just in the game, but a key player, often getting mentioned in various GOP optics.
Trump’s endorsement has galvanized Donalds, who claims that he’s ready to bring Florida forward as the leading state in the nation—better, faster, and freer. In typical Donalds fashion, he has vowed to not just maintain the status quo but to enhance it, aiming to turn Florida into a shining example for the other states to follow. Whether or not this bold proclamation will turn into action remains to be seen, but at least it resonates with the conservative base that’s craving strong leadership.
As for competition, besides Casey DeSantis, former Rep. Matt Gaetz and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson are in the mix, though Simpson recently had a bit of a spat with DeSantis over immigration policy. However, with Trump’s overwhelming support behind Donalds, the competition may very well fizzle out before it even heats up. After all, Trump knows how to rally the troops, and his calls for Donalds to “RUN, BYRON, RUN!” are hard to ignore.
Should he win, Donalds would not only make history as Florida’s first African-American governor, but he and his wife, Erika, will also bring a renewed focus on education reform. They have a track record of advocating for more taxpayer funding for charter and private schools, which is music to the conservatives’ ears. From the sound of things, Florida may be gearing up for a political showdown unlike any other. With an endorsement like Trump’s, it seems Donalds is on a collision course for the governor’s mansion—game on!
