Jacob Ogles
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds officially announced that he will run for Florida Governor.
“I’m here to announce my candidacy to be the next Governor of the great state of Florida,” Donalds said in a prime-time interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future.”
The long-expected move came days after the Naples Republican received a speculative endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Donalds just won a third term in Congress representing Florida’s 19th Congressional District over Democrat Kari Lerner. He first won his seat following a competitive Republican Primary in 2020, then went on to easily defeat Democrat Cindy Banyai in the heavily Republican district. Before his election to the U.S. House, Donalds served two terms in the Florida House.
In 2024, he spent more time campaigning for Trump across the country, becoming one of the Republican President’s most prominent surrogates. He was briefly considered as Trump’s running mate, a role that ultimately went to Ohio Republican JD Vance.
But the close relationship with the President made for little suspense when Trump publicly encouraged Donalds to run in a Truth Social post.
“Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump posted. “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
Several other prominent Republicans could still run for the GOP nomination, most notably First Lady Casey DeSantis, whose favorability ratings exceeded Donalds’ in a recent University of North Florida poll. Other potential candidates include Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, now a One America News host. Republicans Matt Taylor and Robert William have already filed.
Hannity asked Donalds his thoughts on potential competitors, especially Casey DeSantis.
Donalds said that while he thought Gov. Ron DeSantis had done a good job over the last six years leading the state, including protecting the environment, it was time for a change. He recalled Sen. Rick Scott’s financial focus during eight years as Governor and said it was time once again for someone with a business background to lead the Florida government.
“We have an insurance problem in our state. You know my career in banking insurance and financial services,” Donalds said. “I want to make sure that we solve this problem for the people of Florida, and it’s going to mean bringing every stakeholder to the table because the people of Florida is what’s going to matter. We got to solve it. We’ve got to stabilize those costs.
“I want to turn Florida into the financial hub of the world. Digital assets has made a home in South Florida. I want to make sure that we become the most business-friendly state in our country, for businesses to incorporate in our state, but then also for the state to take the lead on cryptocurrency and digital assets.”
Many have suggested Donalds will easily beat any opponents based on Trump’s endorsement alone.
“It sends an undeniable message that Trump has a long memory and anybody who dares challenge his endorsed candidates in Florida will find themselves caught in his crosshairs,” said state Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican running for Chief Financial Officer with Trump’s support.
Consultants in Southwest Florida said Donalds long demonstrated tremendous political acumen.
“The only person that is going to stop Byron Donalds from being the next Governor of Florida is Jesus Christ if he drops him dead before Election Day,” said Naples-based consultant Matt Hurley of Victory Insights. “The Donalds ERA in Florida politics has officially begun. The next decade is going to be an amazing thing to watch.”
Fort Myers-based consultant Terry Miller of TM Consulting said the mechanics to establish Donalds as a front-runner have clearly been in the works for some time.
“It’s not any surprise Trump endorsed Byron,” Miller said. “(Donalds) has been telegraphing for some time he will be running for this seat and his relationship with the President is well known — from being a public surrogate in the campaign to just last week going to the Daytona 500 with him. That relationship is strong. So it’s an expected move, but the move Byron needs to establish himself as the front-runner and most likely to box anyone else out.”
17 comments
Peachy
February 25, 2025 at 9:59 pm
So many talented Repub candidates in Florida. Good luck to Donalds and whoever steps up. Who you got Demos? Nikki Fried? Hilarious. She still is the number one recruiter of New Repubs in Florida.
Creamy
February 26, 2025 at 10:23 am
No, not Nikki. Sergeant Jane of the statewide Castor family of political weirdos–THEY are your Democratic nominee. Deal is done.
Larry Gillis, Libertarian (Cape Coral)
February 25, 2025 at 10:48 pm
REPLACE DONALDS WITH A LIBERTARIAN.
The people of this Congressional District need a vigorous proponent of personal freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. The Libertarians have been committed to these values from the beginning, not just when it seemed convenient. see: http://www.lp.org/platform. Vote for Joshua Krakow.
SuzyQ
February 26, 2025 at 2:14 am
Casey ’26!
Ron Ogden
February 26, 2025 at 4:11 am
Casey needs to be our nominee, There is plenty of time for Byron. He has been a good Congressman and he should remain there. But Ron DeSantis stood up for us time and again. As far as Wilton the Woozer and the rest, fuggedaboudit.
Impeach Musk
February 26, 2025 at 2:20 pm
Good Congressman? As one of his constituents, he’s been completely useless. He’s been out of district campaigning for trump for the last two years. He may as well run for Governor, he’s done nothing else since winning his seat. Search for Matlacha webcams and look at the bridge and surrounding area. It’s looks like downtown Gaza two and a half years after Ian but he’s happy to take credit for doing such a great job. I doubt he’d win the seat again.
Earl Pitts "Ron & Casey's Official "UN-OFFICAL" 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager" AMERICANAMERICANAmerican
February 26, 2025 at 7:02 am
Good Morn’Ting America,
I, Earl Pitts “Ron & Casey’s Official “UN-OFFICAL” 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager”, thank Byron for Stepping Up To The Challange so Ron & The Beautiful Casey will be “Un-Encumbered” by the thoughts of “Who’s Gonna Run Florida” while Ron & Casey are Running AMERICA for the 8 years following Trump’s term as POTUS & FIRST LADY from The White House.
Thank you, Byron, for “STEPPING-UP” to the task ….. MAGA,
Earl Pitts “Ron & Casey’s Official “UN-OFFICAL” 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager”
Earl Pitts American
February 26, 2025 at 7:11 am
***Please excuse the above posting’s “TITLE” screw-up. Our “IT” Department is looking into who is responsable for that screw-up so I, Earl Pitts American, can CHASTIZE the guilty party(s) and thus become “UN-BURDONED BY WHAT HAS BEEN”.***,
Thank you to all my, Earl Pitts American’s SAGE PATRIOTS & all my, Earl Pitts American’s BESTY LEFTYS,
Earl Pitts American
PeterH
February 26, 2025 at 9:48 am
Republicans are America’s worst enemy! Vote all Republicans out of office.
Peachy
February 26, 2025 at 10:37 am
The phony independent has spoken. 🤣
Dale Arnold
February 26, 2025 at 11:26 am
Yes I agree 💯%!!!!
Dale Arnold
February 26, 2025 at 11:29 am
Republicans have been in power for over 20 years in Florida! We still have an insurance crisis, the cost of living has skyrocketed in Florida under Republican rule!
They passed a budget in Congress to cut 880 million from Medicaid and millions from snap!
How many people in Florida will suffer?
All to give the top 5% a tax cut?
Wake up people!!!!
Trump lied to you! This budget passed with his approval!! Wake up!!!
Dale Arnold
February 26, 2025 at 11:24 am
Republicans have been in power for over 20 years in Florida! We still have an insurance crisis, the cost of living has skyrocketed in Florida under Republican rule!
They passed a budget in Congress to cut 880 million from Medicaid and millions from snap!
How many people in Florida will suffer?
All to give the top 5% a tax cut?
Wake the @#&$ up people!!!!
Trump lied to you! This budget passed with his approval!! Wake up!!!
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
February 26, 2025 at 11:52 am
Dale, Dale, Dale,
You are hereby CHASTIZED for your lame transparant attempt to blame the 8iden inflation effects on “Insurance” on Sage Republicans.
Dale, Dale, Dale, do you kiss your sweet, sweet Mother with your Lying Potty mouth?
For Shame, Dale,
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
Michael K
February 26, 2025 at 1:22 pm
I’ll say it because it needs to be said: You know, if Donalds were a Democrat, the MAGAs would be shrieking about the DEI candidate, as they did a few short months ago.
My problem with Donalds that is his primary (f not only) qualification is fealty to the convicted felon.
Impeach Musk
February 26, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Pot dealing and check kiting are useful skills for a Governor. Makes me wonder how, in Florida, he managed to get his record expunged? You can be released from jail and still get arrested for voting but he gets a pass? Bit of a head scratcher methinks.
Skeptic
February 26, 2025 at 9:46 pm
So Ceasar has picked a new prefect? Will the citizens be consulted? Or is this a done deal?
Comments are closed.