Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., introduced plans to run for Florida governor subsequent 12 months throughout an interview on Fox Information’ “Hannity” Tuesday night time.
The following Florida gubernatorial election is slated for Nov. 3, 2026. Chatting with host Sean Hannity, Donalds stated he got here to the choice to run “after lots of prayer [and] lots of ideas with my household and my mates.”
“Sean, now we have a beautiful state,” Donalds stated. “I acquired to Florida once I was 17 years previous, off of a Greyhound bus with only a trunk full of garments. And over the remainder of my time in Florida, I constructed a household, I constructed a profession. … I used to be capable of serve 4 years in a state legislature, 4 years in Congress.
“And I believe now’s the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the longer term.”
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Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., stated he plans to run for governor. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)
The Florida Republican stated he’s the one candidate within the race to date and recommended Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his service to the state.
“We’ve got a terrific governor. Ron DeSantis has finished an amazing job for our state,” Donalds stated. “However now the job is to maintain the perfect state within the nation as the perfect state within the nation. And in order that’s going to be the mission at hand. And I am excited to announce my candidacy with you tonight.”
Donalds was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who lately wrote that his fellow Sunshine State resident “could be a really Nice and Highly effective Governor for Florida.”
“I’m listening to that Extremely Revered Congressman Byron Donalds is contemplating working for Governor of Florida, a State that I really like, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” a Trump social media put up stated.Â
“[S]hould he determine to run, [Donalds] can have my Full and Whole Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
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President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for Florida governor. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)
DeSantis, nonetheless, has not signaled help for Donalds. On Monday, DeSantis advised reporters he needs Florida congressmen to be “centered on enacting [Trump’s] agenda.”
“They haven’t finished very a lot but,” DeSantis stated. “They’re not placing his govt orders into place. We’ll see what they do on the spending, however now we have such a slim majority that to be attempting to marketing campaign different locations and lacking these votes, I believe, is just not one thing that’s advisable in any respect.”
DeSantis’ feedback got here amid rumors that his spouse, Casey, would possibly run for governor. The Florida governor dodged a reporter’s query about his spouse’s plans at a press convention Monday.
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Rumors have swirled that Casey DeSantis, the present first girl of Florida, would possibly run for governor. (Octavio Jones/Getty Pictures)
“Folks ask me on a regular basis about our fantastic first girl, who has finished a improbable job as first girl of Florida,” DeSantis responded. “I’ll let you know this. You’re speaking about any person like her. I received by the most important margin that any Republican has ever received a governor’s race right here in Florida. She would do higher than me.”Â
Fox Information Digital’s Danielle Wallace and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
