Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., seems to be getting extra vocal about operating for Florida governor in 2026 within the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Donalds, a number one pal, ally and supporter of President-elect Trump within the Home of Representatives, in latest days has been telling potential donors and Florida political gamers that he intends to run for governor, Republican sources affirm 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 instructed Fox Information.
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One other sign got here every week in the past when Donalds employed outstanding Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio’s analysis agency. Fabrizio was a high pollster in Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns.
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The conservative former state lawmaker who has represented components 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 said in a Fox Information Digital interview final spring when requested a few attainable run for governor.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. (Fox Information Digital/Paul Steinhauser/File)
Donalds, who was a high surrogate on the marketing campaign path final yr for Trump, was interviewed a number of days after Trump, at a closed-door fundraiser in New York Metropolis, advised that if Donalds ran for Florida governor in 2026, he’d have “many pals within the race.”
“It’s actually cool that individuals again house in Florida think about me to have the ability to be the state’s subsequent governor. It’s actually an honor. It’s actually surreal eager about it as a result of I’m 45 and my journey by means of 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 outstanding 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 alternative for lawyer basic in his second administration earlier than dropping out amid controversy, has additionally mentioned he’s considering of operating.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks through the Republican Nationwide Conference on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
Florida Lawyer 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 more likely 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 keen on 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 can be the clear favourite over Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who’s the Tallahassee institution’s alternative,” Fabrizio mentioned. “We’ll see if the Tallahassee institution smartens up after betting and shedding badly in 2010 towards [former two-term governor and current Sen.] Rick Scott and in 2018 towards Ron DeSantis.”
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With Florida, which was as soon as a high basic election battleground state, now firmly crimson, the slowly rising gubernatorial battle could also be decided by whom Trump, the GOP’s kingmaker in his adopted house state of Florida and throughout the nation, could ultimately again.
However to not be discounted is any attainable endorsement by DeSantis within the race to succeed the governor.
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