Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., seems to be getting extra vocal about working for Florida governor in 2026 within the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Donalds, a number one buddy, ally and supporter of President-elect Trump within the Home of Representatives, in current days has been telling potential donors and Florida political gamers that he intends to run for governor, Republican sources verify to Fox Information.
A few of these conversations occurred final weekend in Orlando on the Florida GOP’s annual assembly.
“He’s severe,” a supply with information advised Fox Information.
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One other sign got here per week in the past when Donalds employed distinguished Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio’s analysis agency. Fabrizio was a prime pollster in Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns.
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The conservative former state lawmaker who has represented elements of southwest Florida’s nineteenth District in Congress for 4 years has been eyeing a possible gubernatorial bid for months.
“I’ve thought of it. I don’t actually rule something out,” Donalds mentioned in a Fox Information Digital interview final spring when requested a couple of potential run for governor.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. (Fox Information Digital/Paul Steinhauser/File)
Donalds, who was a prime surrogate on the marketing campaign path final yr for Trump, was interviewed a couple of days after Trump, at a closed-door fundraiser in New York Metropolis, instructed that if Donalds ran for Florida governor in 2026, he’d have “many mates within the race.”
“It’s actually cool that individuals again dwelling in Florida take into account me to have the ability to be the state’s subsequent governor. It’s actually an honor. It’s actually surreal occupied with it as a result of I’m 45 and my journey via politics has been a very fruitful one,” Donalds mentioned on the time. “It’s actually humbling and an honor, however I simply give attention to doing the job I’ve.”
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One other distinguished Florida Republican who’s believed to be contemplating a run is state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the previous president of the state Senate.
And former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who was Trump’s first selection for lawyer basic in his second administration earlier than dropping out amid controversy, has additionally mentioned he’s considering of working.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks throughout the Republican Nationwide Conference on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
Florida Legal professional Normal Ashley Moody was additionally considered mulling a run to succeed DeSantis, her ally in Tallahassee, however the governor on Thursday named Moody to succeed Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, who’s prone to be one of many president-elect’s first Cupboard picks to be confirmed by the Senate.
And Florida’s chief monetary officer, Jimmy Patronis, who was additionally believed to be concerned about a possible gubernatorial marketing campaign, is taken into account the front-runner on this month’s particular congressional election to fill Gaetz’s seat.
“With Moody going to the Senate, ought to he select to run for governor, Donalds could be the clear favourite over Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who’s the Tallahassee institution’s selection,” Fabrizio mentioned. “We’ll see if the Tallahassee institution smartens up after betting and dropping badly in 2010 in opposition to [former two-term governor and current Sen.] Rick Scott and in 2018 in opposition to Ron DeSantis.”
With Florida, which was as soon as a prime basic election battleground state, now firmly pink, the slowly rising gubernatorial battle could also be decided by whom Trump, the GOP’s kingmaker in his adopted dwelling state of Florida and throughout the nation, might ultimately again.
However to not be discounted is any potential endorsement by DeSantis within the race to succeed the governor.
