Byron Donalds: Trump’s Florida Governor Candidate

In West Palm Beach, Florida, a significant political announcement has emerged as U.S. Representative Byron Donalds declared his candidacy for the governor’s office in 2026. This move positions him as a potential successor to Governor Ron DeSantis, whose term limit will conclude after eight years in office. Donalds, a Naples-based Republican, received an influential endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which could significantly impact the Republican primary race due to Trump’s established influence within the party. If successful, Donalds would make history as Florida’s first Black governor.

Several aspects of Donalds’ political journey stand out, particularly his strong allegiance to Trump. Donalds has been a steadfast supporter of Trump since the early days, having spoken at a Trump rally in September 2016. His loyalty was evident when he was among the 147 Republicans who contested the certification of the 2020 election results from key swing states. Despite evidence to the contrary, Donalds maintained the stance that Joe Biden’s presidency lacked legitimacy. Donalds is also a member of the Tea Party caucus in Congress, which cements his standing among conservative lawmakers. His Republican peers have recognized his potential, nominating him multiple times for House Speaker in 2023, reflecting his influence within the party. Notably, he was considered a potential running mate for Trump during the vice-presidential selection process last year. Throughout their campaigns, Donalds acted as a vital supporter of Trump, advocating for him even when it meant challenging Governor DeSantis by endorsing Trump for the forthcoming presidential election in 2024.

Donalds’ personal history reveals some hurdles with the law. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, by a single mother who set a strong example of resilience. Moving to Florida in 1996, he attended Florida A&M University, where he faced legal charges for misdemeanor marijuana possession in 1997, although the charge was dropped. In 2000, allegations of bribery arose when he deposited a check that was not valid due to financial difficulties, an incident that ultimately was removed from his legal record. Despite these issues, Donalds graduated from Florida State University in 2002, earning a degree in finance and marketing. His political career began in earnest in 2016 when he was elected to the Florida House, where he championed initiatives like school choice and criminal justice reform. His wife, Erika Donalds, has also been active in educational reforms, winning a seat on a local school board in 2014 and founding the Optima Foundation in 2017 to support new and charter schools. Furthermore, she joined the America First Policy Institute earlier this year to chair the Center for Education Opportunity, advocating parental involvement in educational decisions.

Despite a promising start, Donalds’ relationship with Governor DeSantis has seen its share of tension. The governor’s wife, Casey DeSantis, is rumored to be considering a run for the gubernatorial post, although no official announcement has been made. Governor DeSantis recently praised his wife as potentially the best candidate to uphold his legacy in Florida. While Donalds avoided directly addressing Casey DeSantis’ potential candidacy in a Fox News interview, he did speak highly of Ron DeSantis, noting his leadership as governor but emphasizing the need to look forward. He stated, “Now, the job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country. So that’s going to be the mission at hand.”

Historically, Donalds and DeSantis enjoyed a supportive relationship. In 2018, Donalds even introduced DeSantis at his victory celebration and lauded him at the start of his governorship. However, their alliance began to fray in 2023 when Donalds criticized DeSantis-supported educational standards in Florida, which controversially suggested that enslaved individuals acquired beneficial skills during their bondage. Donalds voiced via social media his disapproval, stating, “The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted.” The disagreement intensified when DeSantis accused Donalds of aligning with then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance, urging him to stand by Florida’s values. The relationship further soured when Donalds and other Florida Republicans publicly endorsed Trump for the presidency in April 2023, directly opposing Governor DeSantis’s own presidential ambitions. While Donalds referred to DeSantis as “the best governor in the country,” he emphasized his support for Trump as “the guy that can get the job done on Day One.”