Byron Donalds selected state Sen. Bryan Avila as his running mate Tuesday, adding the Miami-area lawmaker to the GOP ticket.
Donalds announced Avila as his choice for lieutenant governor in Miami, describing him as a conservative ally with legislative, military and education experience.
Avila, a Hialeah native and son of Cuban exiles, was first elected to the Florida House in 2014. He later served as speaker pro tempore and chaired tax and budget committees before winning election to the Florida Senate in 2022.
He currently chairs the Senate Finance and Tax Committee.
“Bryan Avila is a proven conservative, a dedicated public servant, a military officer, and most importantly, a husband and father who understands exactly what is at stake for Florida families,” Donalds said in a statement announcing the selection.
Avila said he and Donalds would seek to build on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policy agenda while focusing on affordability, public safety and individual freedoms.
During his time in the Legislature, Avila has worked on property tax issues, government oversight and utility policy. He also sponsored the Stop W.O.K.E. Act, a DeSantis-backed measure addressing instruction and workplace training involving race and sex.
Outside the Legislature, Avila serves as a captain in the Florida Army National Guard. According to the Donalds campaign, his service has included Florida’s COVID-19 response and multiple hurricane-response missions.
