Trump-Endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds Announces Run for Florida Governor

After much speculation, Republican House Rep. Byron Donalds has just announced that he’s running for Florida governor.

He made the official announcement during an appearance with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

Watch here:

I arrived in the Sunshine State at 17 years old on a Greyhound bus, with a trunk full of clothes and a dream.

Now is the time to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country.

Tonight, I am proud to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of Florida. pic.twitter.com/8jUHXw8A34

— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) February 26, 2025

Full video from Rumble:

For those who prefer to read, here’s a transcript of what Byron had to say about why he’s running for Florida governor:

Donalds: After a lot of prayer, a lot of thoughts with my family and my friends, I’m here to announce my candidacy to be the next Governor of the great state of Florida. And Sean, we have a wonderful state. 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, 17 years in financial services. I joined the Tea Party movement, was in the conservative movement.

I was able to serve four years in the state legislature, four years in Congress, and I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future. We’ve had a great governor. Ron DeSantis 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. And so, that’s going to be the mission at hand, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy with you tonight.

Rep. Donalds has already earned the endorsement of President Trump, who said that as Governor, “Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda.”

President Trump must think very highly of Byron Donalds, since he endorsed him before Byron even decided to run.

It says a lot.

Read President Trump’s full endorsement of Byron right here:

Current Gov. Ron DeSantis will not be up for reelection in 2026, but rumors are swirling that his wife Casey might be considering a bid.

DeSantis himself hinted at Casey running earlier this week.

🚨 Byron Donalds is officially running for Florida governor.

Casey DeSantis might run.

Donalds is backed by Trump. Casey DeSantis would be backed by Ron DeSantis.

Who do you think wins here? 👀 pic.twitter.com/M8pCB0UWhk

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 26, 2025

AP reported:

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced Tuesday that he’s entering the 2026 race to succeed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is ineligible to seek another term after eight years in office.

Donalds enters the race with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Donalds has been a frequent Trump surrogate and was on the short list to be his vice presidential running mate last year.

DeSantis, who cannot run again due to term limits and unsuccessfully tried a presidential bid against Trump last year, has not yet made any official endorsement for his successor.

Just before Donalds’ announcement, DeSantis suggested that his wife, Casey DeSantis, would be a worthy governor and said Donalds was not a part of his victories on conservative priorities.

Donalds praised the governor Tuesday, saying he had done a “tremendous job for our state.” Speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News, Donalds did not directly address the speculation about a Casey DeSantis run but noted his Trump endorsement and his record in elected office.

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“For a long time, I’ve been in the trenches, in a lot of these battles, dealing with conservatism,” he added, saying he would prioritize lowering insurance costs, promoting the cryptocurrency industry and preserving the waterways of the Everglades, the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.

The 46-year-old Donalds, who lives in Naples in southwest Florida, was born and raised in Brooklyn. He graduated from Florida State University.

He was working as a financial adviser when then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the board of trustees at a state college, cementing his rise in the state GOP.

He entered the Florida House in 2016, won a seat in the U.S. House in 2020 and has been on the short list for multiple opportunities ever since, including being nominated in January 2023 by the far-right wing of as a candidate for House speaker.