Byron Donalds Plans to Run for Florida Governor in 2026

Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL-19) announced on Tuesday that he will run for Florida Governor in 2026.

Donalds made his announcement on Fox News.

“I got to Florida when I was 17 years old, off of a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes. And over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career—seventeen years in financial services. I joined the Tea Party movement [and] was in the conservative movement, Donalds told Sean Hannity. “I was able to serve four years in a state legislature, four years in Congress.”

“Now is the time to take the mantle and lead our state into the future,” he added.

Donalds said he was excited to have President Donald Trump’s “full endorsement.”

“He has a lot of faith in me,” he explained. “To the people of Florida, I would tell you that for a long time, I have been in the trenches in a lot of these battles with conservatism.”

Donalds said he had “one of the strongest conservative records” in the Florida State House and in Congress.

The gubernatorial candidate said Florida will “continue to be the freest and best state going forward.”

Donalds said things he wants to work on as governor are improving the state’s insurance costs and turning the state into the “financial hub of the world.” He said he wants Florida to be the most business-friendly state in America.

Furthermore, he wants to improve the state’s education system as well.

Donalds said that Florida has a great governor in Ron Desantis. The representative said the “job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country.”

When asked about Casey DeSantis running, Donalds said it was “very early” in the race, and he said, “We will see what happens.”

This week, Ron DeSantis touted his wife as someone who could build upon his work as Florida Governor.

“She’s somebody that has, I think, the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles,” Ron DeSantis said, according to The Associated Press. “Anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz is considering a run for Florida Govenor, too.

A poll released by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab showed Casey DeSantis as the “most favorable” candidate. She beat out Gaetz, Donalds, Senator Ashley Moody, and Wilton Simpson.

“Casey DeSantis was the top early pick for potential Republican primary candidates when we asked back in late 2023, albeit with only 22% support,” said Professor of Political Science Dr. Michael Binder.

“She likely enjoys some favorability by association as Florida’s first lady,” Binder added, “but most of these potential candidates suffer from a lack of recognition–some suffering more than others. That said, I expect we’ll see a few of them become household names by the time the August 2026 primary rolls around.”

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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected]. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.