Rep. Byron Donalds makes his move ahead of expected 2026 Florida gubernatorial bid
The Republican congressman told Florida politicians and donors that he was running to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ term is up.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) has told potential donors and Florida politicians that he will run for governor in the year 2026. This is his clearest indication yet that he intends to make this much-anticipated bid a reality.
Donalds represents southwest Florida and it has been long rumored that he is considering running to replace the term-limited Governor. Ron DeSantis is the subject of these rumors, which have increased in recent weeks. Donalds announced his candidacy at the state Republican Party’s meeting in Orlando last weekend. He sponsored a hospitality room and informed attendees.
He has also sent a clearer message of his intentions by holding a series meetings with political donors and lobbyists.
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Five sources who were familiar with Donalds’ meetings and thinking have provided an account of his preparations.
He was in Tallahassee meeting all the people you needed to meet. A source who met Donalds stated that Donalds told the group he was in. It’s what any candidate does as they prepare for a run for governor.
Donalds said to NBC News, “I am fully committed to helping President Trump achieve his America First Agenda.” Florida will lead the way.
Formerly, there were five or six Republican candidates to replace DeSantis. But now, with Jimmy Patronis, state chief financial officer, running for Congress, and Ashley Moody, state attorney general, most likely to be appointed to fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat, which was vacated when Donald Trump, president-elect, chose him to be secretary of state. The field is much smaller.
Donalds, the former president of the State Senate and Wilton Simpson from state Agriculture Commission are two prominent Republican candidates.
The Tampa Bay Times first reported that Matt Gaetz, a former U.S. Rep. who has recently taken a job on the conservative television network OAN, had also publicly indicated he was considering a bid for the presidency.
“Florida is in need of a governor who can end the insurance companies’ control over Tallahassee.” Gaetz, referring his wife Ginger, said: “I can do that. We are both considering it.”
Simpson’s team has not responded to any requests for comments.
Donalds, a Trump ally and mainstay of cable news channels gives him a high-profile and the ability to raise large amounts of money from outside Florida. Simpson, a veteran politician in Florida with over $30 million in his bank account, is a formidable candidate.
Trump. The upcoming Republican primary for Governor, which will be watched by millions of people across the country, will likely hinge on this one factor.
Florida, the state where Trump lives, has become a solidly RED state, after years of Republican dominance. Trump won Florida by almost 15 percentage points. He is regarded as the most influential politician in Florida, and will be the one to decide whether or not Florida’s midterm elections for governor are won.
Simpson and Donalds have a long-standing relationship with Trump’s new chief of staff at the White House, Susie Wiles. Donalds has a more direct relationship with Trump than Simpson, who served as his closest congressional confidant and most vocal 2024 ally.
Donalds also hired Ryan Smith as one of the top Florida advisors. Smith was a business partner of James Blair, Trump’s political director for 2024, and will now be a top official in his administration.
Brad Herold is also working with Donalds, along with Smith. Brad Herold was a veteran in Florida Republican politics and one of DeSantis’s top early advisors during his unsuccessful bid for governor of Florida in 2018. Donalds also hired Tony Fabrizio who was a leading Trump pollster and Megan McKinley who worked for Rubio, Sen. Todd Young from Indiana and the former chairperson of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Todd Young.
DeSantis is considered a wild card, even though the field is narrowing.
DeSantis was so close to Donalds in the past that Donalds invited DeSantis’ family to his 2022 re-election party. They have a quick fall out after Donalds supported Trump in the GOP primary. DeSantis and Simpson have never been close, so it is unlikely that he will endorse Simpson.
DeSantis, according to two people who are familiar with his thoughts, could nominate Lt. Jeanette Nunez will become the president of Florida International University – her alma matter – and DeSantis would prefer to nominate her to be his successor as governor.
It is still too early to tell who might be the next in line.
Donalds, or any other candidates, have not set a timeline to make their bids public. However there are concerns that he may leave Congress too early with Republicans having a small majority in the House.
Any announcement may be delayed, in part due to the outcome of the two special races for the Florida congressional seats, which were prompted by Gaetz’s resignation as a member of the House, and Trump’s selection Rep. Mike Waltz, as his national adviser. Patronis and state Rep. Randy Fine are both heavily favored to win the Republican-leaning races.
Elections for both seats will be held on April 1.
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