Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a close ally of President-elect Trump and a rising GOP star in the House, is taking steps toward announcing a gubernatorial run in 2026. Sources say Donalds has approached Florida-based donors about running and has made a number of notable political hires, including Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential pollster Tony Fabrizio. Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) selection of Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the Senate has created an even wider opening for Donalds, who would have some of the highest name recognition in the GOP field.