Donalds coy on potential Florida governor bid while thanking Trump for endorsement

The Hill

22-02-2025

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) was coy while discussing his potential Florida gubernatorial bid during a Friday interview while also expressing gratitude for landing an early endorsement from President Trump.
When asked if and when he might enter the race during his appearance on NewsNation's show 'The Hill,' Donalds said that he is not 'going to get into it now, there's a lot of different things that we're thinking through, but I do got to say, really appreciative of President Trump and his support.'
He added, 'You know, it's something where, you know, I think if we decided to make that that jump, you know, the mission is going to be about making sure that Florida just goes to higher and higher heights.'
Trump endorsed Donalds, his close ally on Capitol Hill and a rising star in the GOP, on Thursday, proclaiming that Donalds would have a 'big voice' and would work 'closely' with the commander-in-chief to advance his America-first agenda.
'He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Donalds said Friday that he and his team are having internal discussions, including about his potential entrance into the race.
'Nothing really to put out right now, but I'm really appreciative of the support from President Trump and the support pouring out from so many other people around the state, around the country,' Donalds told NewsNation's Blake Burman.
Days before the endorsement, which tends to carry a significant amount of weight in Republican primaries, Trump showcased an internal poll conducted by Florida-based Republican pollster Victory Insights, that showed Donalds, who represents Florida's 19th Congressional District, being in the top spot in a hypothetical Sunshine State's governor's race.
Donalds was on top with 31 percent. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (R) was at 4 percent while the state's Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (R) got 3 percent. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez received 1 percent backing.
While Donalds has not officially announced his state-wide run, he has bolstered his campaign team. He has spoken to Florida-based donors about a potential bid and has brought on Trump's 2016 and 2024 presidential pollster Tony Fabrizio, The Hill reported last month.
'A lot of people in the state are eager to have him get into the race,' one source familiar with the matter told The Hill. 'The grassroots truly comes to Byron.'
It is unclear who DeSantis, whose term ends in January 2027, will support once the race kicks off. Donalds and the Florida governor have had a tense relationship. The House Republican endorsed Trump in April 2023, even before DeSantis officially kickstarted his presidential bid which ended in January last year.
On Friday, Donalds praised DeSantis's work in Florida.
'I think the one thing that is clear is that, look, Governor DeSantis has done a great job for our state,' Donalds said on NewsNation. 'We all know that, and but there's going to be time to pick a new governor, and then we'll go on from there.'
Earlier on Friday, Donalds told The Hill he has not spoken with DeSantis yet, 'but I know we will.'
He said 'It's too early for that' when asked if he thinks that the Florida governor would endorse him.