Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by Trump, announces run for Florida governor
Rep. Byron Donalds announced Tuesday that he will compete in the 2026 replacement for Florida Governor Ron DeSantisafter eight years in office, he was not eligible to seek another term.
Donalds compete President Donald TrumpRecognition. Donalds has been Trump’s agent and is on the shortlist his companion for the vice presidential campaign last year.
DeSantis was unable to run again due to term limits and failed to successfully run a presidential election last year, but has not yet made any formal recognition of his successor.
Just before Donalds announced, DeSantis suggested his wife, Casey Desantiswould be a worthy governor and said Donalds was not part of his victory on conservative priorities.
Donalds emphasizes conservative records, policy priorities
Donalds praised the governor on Tuesday, saying he did a “huge job” for our state. Donalds’ speech to Fox News on Sean Hannity does not directly address speculation about Casey Desantis’s running, but points out him Trump endorses and his record in the elected office.
“For a long time, I’ve been in the tides, dealing with conservatism in many battles,” he added. “The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States is
Donalds, 46, lives in Naples, southwestern Florida, was born and raised in Brooklyn. He graduated from Florida State University.
At that time, he was a financial consultant. Rick Scott has appointed him to the State University board of directors, cementing his rise to the state Republican Party.
Facing potential Republican rivals, Trump’s support is imminent
He entered the Florida house in 2016 and won a seat in the U.S. House in 2020, and has since been getting multiple opportunities in the short film, including being nominated as a candidate for House Speaker by the far-right wing in January 2023.
After Trump’s approval, Donalds said he would announce the news soon and said he was “committed to working with him to maintain Florida’s advantage.” Donald said in a speech at the conservative political action conference on February 21 that Trump called on him to talk to him about running.
“Florida is not going to stop leading,” Donalds said. “We will be based on the work we do, and we will continue to lead bigger, better, faster, bigger, safer, and more free because the American dream is for everyone,” he said. , we will show 49 other instructions on how to accomplish it.”
In addition to Casey DeSantis, other potential Republican candidates include former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who said in January that he is considering a run, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, though he recently fought Desantis on immigration policy.
But given his dominance in Republican politics, especially in his adopted homeland, Trump’s approval may clear the way for Donalds. Trump established residency in Palm Beach in his first semester.
The president posted on his social media website Thursday: “Byron Donalds will be the truly great and powerful governor of Florida and will receive my complete and comprehensive recognition if he decides to run.” Run, Byron, run!”
Historical election qualifications and focus on education reform
Donalds is one of the most famous Black Republicans in the state and will become the first African-American to serve as governor if he wins.
Donalds and his wife Erika Donalds are known for their commitment to transforming public education and bringing more taxpayer money to private and charter schools. She was a former county board member and runs a company that oversees charter schools and virtual colleges.
