Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) isn't "hugging it out" with Gov. Ron DeSantis amid tensions just yet, calling his relationship with the governor a "work in progress" on Saturday as he looks to succeed him in Tallahassee next fall. But as fast as a weather change in Florida, a political storm between the two could be on the horizon.
"Working on it. It's a work in progress. When it comes to politics and policy, we agree. When I was in the legislature, I voted for all the initiatives that he was pushing forward, and I've been supportive of them while I've been in Washington," Donalds told The Floridian. I don't think it's really about politics or policy at all, maybe personalities."
Speaking in Doral, Rep. Donalds said he didn't speak to DeSantis at Florida's opening of "Alligator Alcatraz" last week. Both were joined by President Donald Trump, who endorsed Donalds for governor earlier this year.
"We didn't talk. I think he was on the tour with President Trump and Secretary Noem," Donalds said. "So when they came in, the President sat down and got down to business. The president wanted to get the round table started, so he went and did that."
Trump, who feuded with DeSantis during the 2024 presidential primary after he ran for president, described his current relationship with he governor as a "10" during questioning by the press at the facility's opening. The president also said DeSantis would "always be my friend" during a roundtable news conference at the detention center.
But politics can be a soap opera. And like a "Teflon Don," Trump doesn't take disloyalty lightly, as DeSantis brutally found out after challenging the former president in the Republican presidential primary race.
As early as next week, the governor is expected to appoint Sen. Jay Collins as Lieutenant Governor. The move could also position him to run for governor, whom DeSantis could eventually endorse, considering both are close friends.
Remember, months ago, it was rumored that Casey DeSantis, Ron's wife, was running for governor. Instead of Casey, is Sen. Collins the political "Kamikaze pilot" for DeSantis to avoid another direct bout with Trump?
"Quite frankly, I'm just focused on myself on my business. We'll see what he does next week," Donalds said over the speculation. "At the end of the day, we're all adults. We'll figure it out."
At the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee, Donalds relayed his focus on winning the governor's race, which is likely to heat up over the impending news. Moreover, a Collins addition could come into play in Miami-Dade, which DeSantis carried by 11 points over Democrat Charlie Crist in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Miami-Dade is also 70% Hispanic, prompting the congressman to admit he needs to work on his Spanish. It is unclear how good or bad Collins' "Spanglish" is at the moment.
"My Spanish is not good. I got a lot of work to do with my Spanish," Donalds joked.
For now, Donalds doesn't appear too concerned over a Collins run. Along with Trump's coveted endorsement, he has racked up a slew of support in his gubernatorial bid, making him the likely favorite to become Florida's 47th governor.
"I'm glad to have the President's support. Having the president behind me, having Rick Scott, most of the congressional delegation, the congressional members here, a lot of members in the state legislature, a lot of local officials here are supporting me," Donalds said.
