Trump ally Donalds on president’s endorsement in Florida governor race: ‘it’s a great thing to have’
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds kicked off his 2026 campaign for Florida governor with a bang, confidently predicting that “this is going to take off.” In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Donalds expressed his excitement ahead of his rally in Bonita Springs, where he addressed a hometown crowd in his first campaign event.
As the only major Republican candidate in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, Donalds highlighted his close ties to former President Donald Trump, who endorsed his candidacy on Fox News’ “Hannity” last month. “Having his endorsement, it’s a great thing to have,” Donalds remarked. “And when he makes these choices, they tend to turn out well for his candidates.”
The campaign event in Bonita Springs coincided with speculation surrounding a potential gubernatorial run by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis. While DeSantis has not officially announced her candidacy, she has hinted at a possible bid, prompting questions about a potential face-off with Donalds.
When asked about a potential matchup with DeSantis, Donalds remained focused on his vision for Florida’s future. “My mission is going to be focused on our future and the things that are necessary for Florida to thrive and be prosperous for everybody,” he stated. “We’ll see how the race shapes up.”
In terms of fundraising, sources close to Donalds predicted that he would “easily eclipse” the $1 million raised by DeSantis in his first month as a gubernatorial candidate in 2018. With strong support from donors and voters, Donalds aims to secure a decisive victory in the upcoming election.
Outside of the rally in Bonita Springs, demonstrators protested against Donalds and the Trump administration’s policies. However, the congressman remained undeterred, expressing confidence in his ability to win over voters with his platform and vision for the state.
As the campaign heats up, Republicans are closely watching two special congressional elections in Florida, where the GOP aims to maintain control of solidly red districts. Despite concerns over fundraising disparities in the races, Donalds remains optimistic about the party’s chances of securing victories on Tuesday.
In the midst of a highly competitive political landscape, Donalds is positioning himself as a strong conservative candidate with a clear vision for Florida’s future. With the support of grassroots activists, donors, and voters, he hopes to emerge as the frontrunner in the race for governor and lead the state to prosperity.
