Top Trump ally Byron Donald raises voice over possible 2026 run for Florida governor
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., appears to be making more calls to run for Florida governor in 2026 to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Donald Trump, a close friend, ally and supporter of President Trump in the House of Representatives, has been telling donors and Florida political players in recent days that he plans to run for governor, Republican sources have confirmed to Fox News.
Some of the remarks were made last weekend at the Florida GOP’s annual convention in Orlando.
“It’s serious,” a source told Fox News.
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Another sign came when the Donalds hired the research firm of prominent Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio. Fabrizio was a top voter in Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns.
Why Trump is praising his one-time presidential primary rival, DeSantis.
The conservative former state lawmaker, who represented parts of Southwest Florida’s 19th District in Congress for four years, has been eyeing a gubernatorial bid for months.
“I thought about it,” Donald said in a Fox News Digital interview last spring when asked about running for governor.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. (Fox News Digital/Paul Steinhauser/File)
Donald, who was Trump’s top campaign surrogate last year, was interviewed a few days later at a closed-door fundraiser in New York City. “Many friends in the race.”
“It’s great when people back home in Florida consider me to be the next governor of the state. It’s really an honor. I’m 45 years old and honestly thinking about it and my journey in politics has been really fruitful,” Donald said at the time. “It’s really humbling and an honor, but I’m just focused on doing the job I have.”
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Another prominent Florida Republican believed to be considering a run is state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a former president of the state Senate.
And former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who was Trump’s first choice for attorney general before becoming embroiled in his second administration, has also said he plans to run.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was considered in the running to replace her Tallahassee ally DeSantis, but the governor on Thursday named Moody to replace Trump’s secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio. The President’s first Cabinet picks confirmed by the Senate.
And Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is considered the front-runner in this month’s special congressional election to fill Gaetz’s seat.
“When Moody goes to the Senate, if he chooses to run for governor, Donald will be very popular with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who is the establishment choice of Tallahassee,” Fabrizio said. After running against (former two-term governor and current Sen.) Rick Scott in 2010 and losing badly to Ron DeSantis in 2018, we see that the Tallahassee establishment is smarting.
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Florida, once a top general election battleground state, is now crimson red, in a gubernatorial battle that’s slowly unfolding.
But DeSantis’ support should not be diminished in the race to replace the governor.
