Republican Representative Byron Donalds from Florida is contemplating a potential bid for the governorship of the Sunshine State in 2026, according to a source close to him confirmed by Fox News Digital.
Donalds, who has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, revealed to Fox News Digital his current focus on assisting Trump’s bid to return to office, stating, “I’m committed to making Biden a one-term president. We’ll focus on that other stuff after President Trump gets inaugurated.”
This announcement comes as Donalds finds himself at the forefront of the ongoing efforts in the House to pass a continuing resolution aimed at preventing a government shutdown. He has been actively involved in seeking a bipartisan consensus to ensure government funding through the end of October, as the September 30th deadline approaches.
Additionally, Donalds has expressed his willingness to serve as Trump’s running mate if asked by the former president, adding intrigue to his potential gubernatorial ambitions.
Notably, this development emerges amid speculations about a gubernatorial run by another prominent Florida Republican, Representative Matt Gaetz. Gaetz recently dismissed such rumors, affirming his focus on supporting Trump’s prospective 2024 White House run.
The timing of Donalds’ potential candidacy for Florida’s governorship coincides with the state’s constitution barring current Governor Ron DeSantis from seeking re-election in 2026 due to term limits.
While House Republicans have generally reached a consensus on the funding measure, some holdouts, including Gaetz, threaten to disrupt the process. Gaetz has even raised the possibility of a mutiny against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to challenge his leadership.
However, McCarthy has downplayed these threats, responding to Gaetz’s intentions during a House GOP conference meeting with the directive to “file a f—ing motion” if he intends to remove him from his position as House Speaker.
The outcome of the continuing resolution and the dynamics within the House Republican caucus will undoubtedly influence the political landscape in Florida and the aspirations of figures like Byron Donalds in the years to come.
