U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced Tuesday night that he will run for Florida governor in 2026, positioning himself as the immediate contender in what is expected to be a highly contested Republican primary.
Donalds, a three-term congressman representing Florida’s 19th District, made his campaign official during an appearance on Fox News, where he spoke to his “conservative record” and plans to sustain Republican momentum in the state.
“I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future,” Donalds said. “We’ve had a great governor, Ron DeSantis, [who] has done a tremendous job for our state, but now the job is to keep the best state in the country, as the best state in the country. That’s going to be the mission at hand and I’m excited to announce my candidacy … I have a long history in the conservative movement, and I have one of the strongest conservative records, both in the State House and up here in Congress, that proves that I will not let you down, that all of the victories and the successes that Florida has been able to accomplish, we’re only going to take that and build upon it.”
Donalds specifically identified Florida’s volatile insurance market and education as early targets, should he win election.
“We have an insurance problem in our state. [With] my career in banking, insurance and in financial services, I want to make sure that we solve this problem for the people of Florida, and it’s going to mean bringing every stakeholder to the table, because the people of Florida is what’s going to matter. We have to solve it. We have to stabilize those costs,” said Donalds, adding that his focus “would be on making sure that every child has the tools available to them to be proficient in math, in reading, in writing and in reasoning.”
His entry into the race comes just days after President Donald Trump preemptively endorsed him.
“I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
DeSantis, who is barred by term limits from seeking a third term, has yet to offer an endorsement, but has reportedly publicly floated his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, as a potential candidate.
Despite Trump’s backing, Donalds could face a competitive primary. Casey DeSantis, should she enter the race, would likely command substantial support due to her extensive role in shaping the current administration’s agenda. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has long been viewed as a potential candidate, while Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has reportedly long ruminated on a run for the governor’s mansion.
Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power commended Donalds on his announcement, but stopped short of issuing an endorsement.
“Since his work with the Tea Party Congressman Byron Donalds has been fighting for conservative values in Florida. I welcome him to the race for Governor of Florida. The Flroida GOP will be ready to help whoever wins our nomination to Keep Florida Winning,” Power posted on X.
This article initially misidentified President Donald Trump as ‘Former President’ Donald Trump. The error has been corrected.
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