Posted on 02/25/2025 8:15:56 PM PST by SoConPubbie
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) announced his candidacy for governor of Florida in 2026 during a Fox News appearance Tuesday night.
“We’re going to continue being the freeest state and the best state moving forward,” he said.
Due to term limits in Florida, Ron DeSantis is not eligible for reelection, and Byron Donalds was the first to officially announce his bid for the Republican primary.
As The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump made an early endorsement for Donalds in the state’s 2026 gubernatorial race last week.
Pres. Trump Endorses Byron Donalds for Governor of Florida in 2026
The endorsement came amid speculation about other potential candidates for the Republican nomination. Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis has been mentioned as a possible contender.
During a news conference in Tampa Bay Monday, DeSantis was asked about President Trump’s endorsement of Donalds for governor.
DeSantis responded, “We’ve achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there.”
He added, “You got a guy like Byron — he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left these last years.”
DeSantis then teased the idea of his wife running for governor, saying, “I won by the biggest margin that any Republican has ever won a governor’s race here in Florida. She [Casey] would do better than me.”
Donalds responded to rumors of Casey DeSantis jumping into the race by saying, "It's still early," and noting he's "excited to have the full endorsement of President Trump." He added, "[Trump] has a lot of faith in me."
Among his priorities are to "turn Florida into the financial hub of the world" and "become the most business-friendly state in our country," he said. Donalds also spoke about a plan to "take the lead on cryptocurrency and digital assets," potentially "having crypto be a part of the state's financial portfolio."
WATCH:
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.
So is it true That RDS is butthurt that his wife didn’t get approval?
I was on his Twitter account and people are vicious and cruel. Sad to say but being both black and conservative means he is going to face the worst of both sides. And I am not saying he should get special treatment either. 🙄
I have to question why a young woman and mother of young children who has so far survived breast cancer, would want to run for such a high-profile job as Governor of Florida. I can only think of one reason.
Actually, there is a precedent for what she would be doing. She would be a GINO. Governor in name only. Ma Ferguson of Texas comes to mind of a wife who became governor after her husband was. If in fact, Mrs. DeSantis was elected governor it would be open knowledge that Ron was still the power behind the throne, calling the shots.
I saw a news clip today showing Florida has highest home insurance rates and auto insurance rates in the nation. Mey be next governor will do better job.
Ron will never be president, when he ran against Trump, it proves he lacks common sense.
Doubt that. Michigan’s car insurance rates are probably higher.
YES!
Do tell
Hmmm, I know how this one is going to play out in the drive-by media.
If you’re a republican supporter of Byron Donalds over Casey DeSantis, of course that means you hate women.
If you’re a republican supporter of Casey DeSantis over Byron Donalds, of course you hate black people.
/sarc
Good choice for Florida Governor.
That she's as power hungry as her husband. What has she done in her life other than being a reporter, and the wife of a politician?
Many have risen high with a lot less. IDK, let’s see how the campaign goes.
A state regularly hit by hurricane has high insurance rates and you thing a Gov can do something about that?
The US people really need to finally grow out of this “government is god” mindset that anything they dislike can be fixed for them by Government. That is what got us into this mess.
car IS NOT AFFECTED BY HURRICANE.
Hurricane insurance is EXTRA CHARGES, those can be high.
Prayers lifted for Byron Donalds and his family. 🙏
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