Florida Governor Candidate Rep. Byron Donalds Reports $22.2 Million First-Quarter Fundraising Haul

Breitbart ^ | April 1, 2026 | Jasmyn Jordan

[Twotone]

According to the campaign, more than 10,000 donors contributed during the quarter, and the $22.2 million raised in the first quarter was “unprecedented for a non-incumbent candidate” in Florida’s gubernatorial race.

In January, his campaign reported raising $45 million during 2025, including $13.1 million in the fourth quarter alone. Florida Politics noted at the time that the total was the largest amount ever raised by a gubernatorial campaign at that point in the election cycle in Florida.

Donalds has assembled a broad list of endorsements as he campaigns to succeed outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek another term because of term limits. In addition to backing from President Donald Trump, Donalds has received endorsements from Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who became the first sitting governor to support his campaign in January, as well as Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk, Rick Scott, Mike Johnson, Jimmy Patronis, and Phil Mickelson.

The campaign also says it has support from a majority of Florida sheriffs, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation, and 75 percent of the Republican caucus in the Florida House.

Recent polling has shown Donalds leading the Republican field. A February survey from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab found Donalds ahead with 28 percent support if Casey DeSantis enters the race, with 24 percent going for her. If she does not run, Donalds leads with 31 percent support. When Republican voters were told that Donald Trump had endorsed Donalds, his support rose to 47 percent, while Casey DeSantis’s fell to 12 percent.

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TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: byrondonalds; florida

[George from New England]

What do we know about this guy ?

[Twotone]

Everything I’ve seen of him says he’s a true conservative & a good guy. I’m sorry to see him leave congress.

[alancarp]

"...and Phil Mickelson..."

Don't underestimate the power of the golf caucus in Florida.

[Capn Hayek]

That he is miles better than that idiot Fishback, who is 75% twitter grifter/25% Stormfront exile and would actually manage to put Florida in play for the rats.

Virtually all the available polling indicates the primary results are pretty much settled. By all means, the primary should still be held - we aren’t rats who just crown nominees.

I have no problem with kicking the tires on Donalds, but the Fishback loons are going scorched earth on a guy 99% certain to win for a potential headache polling at about 5-10%.

Donalds was vetted as a potential VP in 2024 and was also briefly - granted, in small numbers - floated as a compromise House Leader after K-Mc was booted.

I’m not a Floridian and I’m sure Donalds isn’t perfect — no politician is...

However, RDS has been an outstanding governor - I’m jealous, as I imagine 48 other states are... and Donalds is the best pick to continue such conservative governance.

[SMARTY]

Has no trouble making himself understood! 😉

[Does so]

He’s included MY donation!

[dware]

I can’t remember the last time I spent 100x’s to get a position that doesn’t pay ma whole lot. $22 million for a governor’s race. That’s crazy.

[Capn Hayek]

I completely understand the emotion and thought; I am not immune to sometimes feeling the same way.

However, I think it’s important to have principles - especially when they’re hard.

One of mine is free speech - and yes, that includes the landmark CU case. The US is not Europe so that means people - even rich people ;-) - are free to use their money to provide funding for campaign speech (ads, etc). No doubt, I hate the consultancy/ad/etc grifting as much as anyone... but it’s just a basic reality that money helps get the message out.

Hate it; I do... but always remember that the alternative is state-controlled limitations and that’s a slippery slope no actual conservative should want.

Sometimes, the “least bad option” is actually the BEST option.

The wise, non-bazillionaire conservative should say “Great. A real conservative has a big enough warchest to wage the necessary campaign. Therefore, if I’m going to donate some piddly dollars? I’ll find a campaign starved for cash that needs it.”

[NorthernDancer]

He can definitely think on his feet. I remember, during the Trump campaign in 2024, he singlehandedly destroyed a panel of six on CNN (I think). Looking forward to having Byron Donalds as my next governor!

[hinckley buzzard]

How much do you think a gubernatorial campaign should cost?

[j.havenfarm]

Sounds like you’re in the ground there in FL

Unlike many here ive never turned on DeSantis. His tenure has been a gift to his state and the nation. Still I didn’t think his wife succeeding him was a good idea. Is her candidacy pretty much a nonstarter? I haven’t heard anything about it in a long time

[Capn Hayek]

I’m not in Florida and I was never “all-in” on DeSantis in 2024. Certainly, if the primary had still been alive by the time I voted? He was then-sitting as my likely first choice, but I wasn’t set in stone or aynthing.

For the life of me, though, I will NEVER understand why so many people hate him.

Because he had the temerity to run in an open primary for POTUS? The worst I recall his campaign ever saying about DJT was ~Time to turn the page.

For that, he gets cast out? Treated as some kind of Pontious Pilate? He dropped out and endorsed DJT when early votes made it clear that was the best thing to do for the conservative movement and the GOP.

Fine, fine. He’s never going to be the King of Memes and he’s also never going to be as “fun” with tweets and press conferences and whatever.

But the hate he got just because he *ran* in a *primary*?

Come on.

I am first and foremost, an American patriot. I am secondly, a conservative. And after that? I’ll line up behind whatever politician is the best standard bearer for both concepts. However, I will NEVER place complete and total faith in that standard bearer. I will NEVER do anything more than mute my disagreements when they arise.

DJT won the primary fair and square. I’m also glad - I voted and tried to do my part in the fall to see that he won the fall election, if only because the alternative would have been disastrous.

But the grief he got - and still gets! - because he didn’t... what?... Bend the knee? Actually run a primary campaign?

I completely agree on Casey - leave that crap to the Clintoons - but as a nation, we are a Republic. That means we have elections - and sometimes elbows get thrown in elections.

And the blowback Ron DeSantis got for no reason other than just running, making his case, and trying to win in the 2024 primary? One of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen in my lifetime.