Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) raised a whopping $45 million in 2025, including $13.1 million in the fourth quarter, according to his campaign and political action committee Friends of Byron Donalds. The money comes from 8,000 donors in the last three months alone, putting Rep. Donalds in a strong position to start 2026 as he looks to become Florida's 47th governor after the November election.
".@ByronDonalds enters the 2026 election as the proven @realDonaldTrump-endorsed conservative fighter ready to unify Florida Republicans, crush the Democrats, and deliver on an affordability agenda to lower costs for working families, seniors, and young people," wrote Ryan Smith, chief strategist for the Donalds campaign.
Rep. Donalds, who currently represents Florida's 19th congressional district, is looking to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited. While the pair has reportedly had a lukewarm relationship, Donalds did praise Gov. DeSantis in a December interview with The Floridian.
An endorsement from Gov. DeSantis might be the only thing missing in Rep. Donalds' repertoire at this point, as he has virtually secured every other major endorsement under the sun.
That includes arguably the most important, President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Donalds in February 2025, even before the congressman jumped into the race himself.
In addition, Donalds has picked up endorsements from several high-profile republican officials, including U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), and virtually all of the Florida congressional delegation.
Donalds has also picked up support from several members of the Florida House, including Rep. Meg Weinberger (Palm Beach Gardens), Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole), Rep. Tobin "Toby" Overdorf (R-Palm City), Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami), and Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola).
With all that in mind, will anyone step up and give Donalds a legitimate Republican challenge in the race? Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and businessman James Fishback are trying to make the case, but likely have some work to do.
The Florida gubernatorial primary is Aug. 18. The general election is Nov. 3.
