Drew Wilson
More top-ranking Republicans are jumping on the Donalds 2026 bandwagon.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ campaign for Governor has secured endorsements from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik, Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
“I am proud to endorse Byron Donalds for Governor of Florida. Having served with Byron, I have seen firsthand his commitment to fiscal discipline and expanding economic and educational opportunities for every family,” said Scalise, a Louisiana Republican.
“Byron Donalds knows how to get things done, and as Governor, he will deliver a strong conservative agenda that puts the needs of Sunshine State families first. Florida will be well-served by his leadership.”
The move cements Donalds’ support from top Republicans across the country.
“Byron Donalds is a tough, tenacious, and true conservative warrior committed to the success of President Trump’s agenda and to creating a brighter future for the Sunshine State,” Stefanik added. “With Byron Donalds as Governor, Florida’s best days are still ahead. I am proud to give my full support to Byron Donalds for Governor of Florida.”
That follows support in early April from the top Republican in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson.
The new round of endorsements adds to the stack of influential elected officials who have lined up behind the third-term Congressman, including President Donald Trump, who gave his blessing ahead of Donalds’ official announcement in late February.
Earlier this month, seven members of Florida’s delegation announced they were backing Donalds, including U.S. Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart, Scott Franklin, Laurel Lee, Brian Mast, John Rutherford, María Elvira Salazar and Daniel Webster. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan endorsed Donalds in mid-March.
That all comes before First Lady Casey DeSantis has even announced her intention to run, showing that Florida’s congressional Republican leaders are lining up behind Donalds over Team DeSantis. That’s a repeat of the 2024 Presidential Election cycle, when all congressional Republicans, except Lee, originally backed Trump over Ron DeSantis. This time, even Lee is behind Donalds from the get-go.
Club for Growth PAC, which endorsed Ron DeSantis early on in his 2018 gubernatorial run, is also switching alliances to endorse Donalds.
Several state and local lawmakers also quickly threw their support behind Donalds. That’s in addition to endorsements from Donald Trump Jr., Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk and the Miami Young Republicans.
Momentum has also been building on the fundraising side of the operation, with Donalds’ campaign announcing more than $12 million raised during the handful of weeks he was a candidate in Q1 2025.
5 comments
Jerry
April 29, 2025 at 6:19 am
Republican DEI Governor?
Republicans are hypocrites.
He is isn’t qualified.
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
April 29, 2025 at 6:59 am
Relax your Sphincter Big Jerry,
We, The American People, will need Donalds to be appointed Govornor as Ron & The Beautiful Casey Desantis will be a little busy in 2028 serving Our Great Nation as POTUS (Ron) and First Lady (Casey).
Why you Dook 4 Brains RINOS dont understand that is beyond my, EARL PITTS AMERICAN’s, comprehention.
Thanks Big Jerry,
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
Foghorn Leghorn
April 29, 2025 at 7:40 am
Look at his district map and tell me he is a DEI hire. Now let’s see if a white person would ever win in Maxine Waters district.
R Russell
April 29, 2025 at 7:44 am
What BS-Donalds is a POS Publicity Hound – he is all face and no substance. What qualifies him to lead anything. We have numerous others in Florida with real qualifications, who have put their lives on the line for America! All he’s done is get his face on camera when others were speaking.
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
April 29, 2025 at 8:24 am
Here’s how it’s gonna play out Russ, so Write This Down,
1.) We, the Citizens of The Great State of Florida are 100% going to elect Casey for what will effectively be a two year term as our Govornor, in 2026.
2.) Then, in 2028, Casey will appoint Byron as Govornor to fill out her remaining 2 years as she and Ron will be living in The White House as POTUS (Ron) and First Lady (Casey).
Now I know this 100% “Sure Thing” evolvement of events is difficult for the “Average Brain To Retain”, so that, my friend’s of EARL is why I ask you to “WRITE THIS DOWN”.
Thank you for the inquiry, Russ,
EARL PITTS AMERICAN