On Thursday evening, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share his preferred pick for the next governor of Florida.
While the next gubernatorial election isn’t until 2026, Trump announced that he would be willing to back U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-19, for the position.
“I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” he wrote. “Byron has a great wife, Erika, and three beautiful sons. They are very proud of him!”
Donalds came out on top for his prior three elections in 2016 (this one for Florida’s state Legislature), 2020, and 2024, and he’s already registered to run again come 2026, according to the Federal Election Commission.
However, if Donalds instead chooses to run for the governor’s seat in the Sunshine State next year, Trump said he would have the president’s “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
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“As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump announced. “He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Donalds hasn’t officially registered for the governor’s race yet, though if he does, he could find himself against fellow Republican lawmaker Matt Gaetz, who is mulling a gubernatorial campaign of his own, as reported by Reuters last month.
While current Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wife, Casey DeSantis, had hinted about a possible run for governor last year, Ron DeSantis has since downplayed the idea, saying his wife had “zero” interest in running, according to News 6 partner WJXT-TV.
Earlier this week, Trump shared a survey study by Victory Insights claiming that Byrons could have an edge over Gaetz in a potential gubernatorial battle, as he had a higher “Positive Name ID” among respondents.
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