Congressman Byron Donalds is getting major backing from top Republicans as he runs to become Florida’s next governor. House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump are both throwing their weight behind Donalds, showing strong unity in the GOP. This support sends a clear message that Donalds is the MAGA movement’s pick to keep Florida red.
Donalds has been a fierce defender of Trump’s America First policies in Congress. Now, he’s taking that fight to Tallahassee. Johnson praised Donalds as a “principled conservative leader” who will stand up for Florida values. Trump’s endorsement gives Donalds a huge boost, especially with voters who trust the former president’s judgment. Polls show that when voters learn Trump supports Donalds, his lead over potential rivals like Casey DeSantis nearly doubles.
The race is shaping up as a test of loyalty to Trump versus the fading influence of Governor Ron DeSantis. While DeSantis tries to push his wife Casey into the race, Trump’s team isn’t backing down. A recent internal poll revealed that Republican voters prefer Donalds by a wide margin once they know he has Trump’s stamp of approval. This spells trouble for the DeSantis family, who already lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential primary.
Democrats are scrambling to counter Donalds’ momentum. They’ve poured money into recent Florida special elections, but Republicans aren’t worried. Donalds argues that GOP voters will turn out strongly to support Trump’s agenda. He’s crisscrossing the state, promising to protect conservative priorities like border security, lower taxes, and parental rights in schools.
First Lady Casey DeSantis faces an uphill battle if she runs. Many Florida Republicans still resent Ron DeSantis for challenging Trump in 2024. Voters see Donalds as the true successor to Trump’s mission, not a DeSantis family dynasty. Even some of Ron DeSantis’ former allies in Congress are now endorsing Donalds, signaling a shift in the state’s political landscape.
Speaker Johnson’s endorsement could help Donalds raise money nationwide. Johnson’s support also highlights the split between Washington Republicans and DeSantis, who has clashed with GOP leaders. While DeSantis criticizes Donalds as “not conservative enough,” Trump’s team fires back, calling that claim ridiculous. They point to Donalds’ perfect voting record on key issues like abortion restrictions and election integrity.
The 2026 governor’s race is about more than Florida—it’s a preview of the GOP’s future. Trump and Johnson are betting big on Donalds to prove that MAGA candidates can dominate even in post-DeSantis Florida. With early fundraising numbers looking strong, Donalds’ campaign is off to a roaring start.
As Democrats protest Trump’s policies, Donalds remains confident. He’s telling supporters that Republican victories in Florida will send a message to the whole country. With the full weight of the GOP establishment behind him, Donalds is poised to keep Florida firmly in conservative hands.
