U.S. Representative Byron Donalds has officially announced his candidacy for the governorship of Florida in the 2026 elections, aiming to succeed current Governor Ron DeSantis, who will step down after reaching the term limit following eight years in office. Donalds, a Republican from Naples, enters the race with a significant endorsement from former President Donald Trump, potentially positioning himself favorably within the GOP ranks. Should Donalds be elected, he would make history as the first Black governor of Florida.
Donalds has been a steadfast supporter of Trump, notably speaking at one of Trump’s rallies back in September 2016, and remains one of the former president’s most enduring allies. His political career includes his participation as one of the 147 Republicans who contested the election results from pivotal swing states in the 2020 election, maintaining unfounded claims questioning President Joe Biden’s legitimacy. As a member of the conservative Tea Party caucus within Congress, Donalds is well-regarded among his Republican peers. His prominence was underscored through multiple nominations for the role of House speaker during the 2023 contests, despite ultimately supporting or being overlooked for another candidate.
Donalds’ past also holds a few contentious issues. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, he credits his dedicated single mother as a significant influence. In 1997, while attending Florida A&M University, Donalds faced an arrest on misdemeanor marijuana possession that was later dismissed. In 2000, a bribery charge linked to financial difficulties and a bad check resulted in an expungement from his record. Overcoming these hurdles, Donalds achieved a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University in 2002. Elected to the Florida House in 2016, he prioritized initiatives like school choice and criminal justice reform. His spouse, Erika Donalds, who also contributes to education reform, won a seat on a local school board in 2014 and established the Optima Foundation in 2017 to foster educational opportunities through charter schools.
Despite having a once-close relationship with Governor DeSantis, tensions have arisen between Donalds and the governor. Although Casey DeSantis, Florida’s first lady, is rumored to be considering a gubernatorial run, she has not confirmed her intentions. Nevertheless, Ron DeSantis mentioned earlier in the week that he sees his wife as a capable successor. When interviewed by Fox News, Donalds acknowledged Ron DeSantis as a successful governor but emphasized the need to focus on Florida’s future. “Now, the job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country,” Donalds stated on record.
The relationship between Donalds and DeSantis started deteriorating in 2023, largely due to differences over educational standards in the state. Donalds openly criticized DeSantis-backed curriculum changes meant for middle schools, which depicted slavery as beneficial to slaves in acquiring useful skills. Responding via Twitter, he acknowledged the curriculum’s robustness but condemned any attempt to portray slavery with personal benefits. DeSantis retorted by accusing Donalds of siding with former Vice President Kamala Harris, challenging him to defend Florida’s interests. Further friction arose when Donalds, contrary to DeSantis’ own presidential aspirations, endorsed Trump for the 2024 presidential race. Despite their differences, Donalds maintained praise for DeSantis’ governance while expressing unwavering support for Trump’s leadership.
