Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) announced his endorsement of Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds for governor by praising his conservative leadership through a social media post this week.
"Floridians deserve a proven conservative leader who will tackle the affordability crisis head-on, bring real reforms to our property insurance market, and fiercely protect the natural waterways that make our state exceptional," Brodeur wrote. "@ByronDonalds has the grit to get the job done for Florida families. I am honored to endorse his campaign for Governor."
Sen. Brodeur is the latest Republican elected official endorsing Rep. Donalds in his gubernatorial campaign, which seemingly grows by the day ahead of the August primary.
Others who have recently backed Rep. Donalds include Sens. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) and Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach), Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, Florida Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison (R-Fleming Island).
That alone would likely give Rep. Donalds an edge, but there's plenty more.
He's also has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), several members of the Florida delegation, a majority of Florida sheriffs, and numerous Florida advocacy groups in his campaign.
More specifically, Sen. Brodeur joins Sens. Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne), Erin Grall (R-Fort Pierce), Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Doral), Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg), and Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) to endorse Donalds in the upper chamber, to name a few. Donalds' support from the House is also quite long and includes Reps. Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens), Berny Jacques (R-Seminole), and Speaker Daniel "Danny" Perez (R-Miami).
Donalds thanked Sen. Brodeur for his endorsement.
"Thank you, @JasonBrodeur— great to have you in the fight with us. I look forward to working with you to deliver for Seminole County and all of Central Florida!" Donalds responded.
Donalds is in a Republican primary with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback.
The primary is Aug. 18.
