United States Representative Byron Donalds officially entered the 2026 race for Florida governor in February, immediately establishing himself as the overwhelming frontrunner in the Republican primary with the coveted endorsement of President Donald Trump, promising to safeguard current Governor Ron DeSantis' conservative policies while elevating Florida "to a whole new level" in a bid that carries historic weight as he would become the state's first Black governor.
Trump issued his "Complete and Total Endorsement" on February 20th before Donalds had even formally announced, posting on Truth Social that "Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida" and urging "RUN, BYRON, RUN!" The three-term Naples congressman confirmed his candidacy five days later on Fox News with Sean Hannity, praising DeSantis for doing "a tremendous job" while positioning himself as the candidate to maintain Florida's conservative trajectory. The early presidential endorsement—coming more than 17 months before the August 2026 primary—represents an unusually aggressive move clearly designed to clear the Republican field and ensure Donalds faces minimal primary opposition.
"I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER! As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda."
Donalds enters the race with formidable advantages beyond Trump's endorsement. His campaign announced in December that he has raised over $40 million since February—2.5 times what then-candidate Ron DeSantis raised and $3 million more than Adam Putnam raised in total during the last open Republican gubernatorial primary in 2018. He dominates most public opinion polls despite not yet airing a single television advertisement and has secured endorsements from Florida Senator Rick Scott, 17 of the state's 20 congressional delegation members, and 63 members of the Florida House of Representatives. Heavyweight GOP supporters include South Florida mega-donor Max Alvarez, influential lobbyist Brian Ballard who maintains close ties to both Trump and DeSantis, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and tech billionaire David Sacks.
The race has been complicated by tensions with Governor DeSantis, whose relationship with Donalds soured after the congressman endorsed Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 presidential primary. Just before Donalds' announcement, DeSantis suggested that his wife Casey DeSantis would make a worthy governor while pointedly noting that Donalds "was not a part of" his victories on conservative priorities. Early polls showed Florida's first lady could be competitive with Donalds, and speculation swirled that she might enter the race, though Trump's endorsement may have discouraged that possibility. Other Republican candidates include former House Speaker Paul Renner and investment firm CEO James Fishback, though neither has gained significant traction against Donalds' Trump-backed juggernaut.
Donalds grew up in Brooklyn, New York, raised by a hardworking single mother he credits as a role model. He moved to Florida at age 17 on a Greyhound bus with just a trunk of clothes, attended Florida A&M University, and graduated from Florida State University in 2002 with a finance and marketing degree. Despite facing early legal troubles including a dismissed marijuana possession charge and an expunged bad check incident, Donalds built a successful career before entering politics. He was first elected to the Florida House in 2016 and to Congress in 2020, becoming the only Black Republican in Florida's congressional delegation and a rising star frequently mentioned as potential House Speaker material.
Trump's ultra-early endorsement serves multiple purposes beyond simply supporting a loyal ally. The timing appears designed as continued revenge against DeSantis for his "disloyalty" in challenging Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination instead of waiting for 2028. By anointing Donalds before DeSantis could consolidate support behind an alternative candidate—potentially his wife—Trump ensures his preferred successor controls Florida's political machinery and demonstrates that crossing Trump carries lasting consequences. Donalds' potential victory would represent the enduring influence of the MAGA movement in Florida politics and mark a historic milestone as the state's first Black governor, providing Republicans with a compelling narrative about the party's inclusiveness and appeal beyond stereotypical demographics. However, Democrats eager for revenge after devastating 2025 election losses are highly motivated, as evidenced by their strong performance in recent special elections when Trump was not on the ballot. Donalds must navigate this enthusiasm gap while maintaining Trump's coalition and avoiding the overconfidence that sometimes accompanies early frontrunner status, though with his fundraising advantage, overwhelming endorsements, and presidential backing, the Naples congressman would have to commit severe unforced errors to lose a race that increasingly appears to be his to lose.