President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for Sunshine State governor in the case that the House Republican makes a bid for the role.
“Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Earlier this week, the president shared an internal poll showing Donalds leading in a hypothetical competition for Florida governor. In the poll, the House Republican gained 31 percent support, while Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (R) earned 4 percent and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (R) earned 3 percent support.
Donalds has told multiple Sunshine State Republican donors that he plans on entering the race.
“As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump said in his social media post. “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.”
In the past, Donalds has strongly allied himself with the president, backing him over his own state’s governor, Ron DeSantis (R), in last year’s Florida Republican presidential primary. Trump also gave Donalds a shoutout amid the inaugural parade in January.
“Stand up, Byron,” Trump said at the time. “What a future this one has.”
Donalds appeared to be enthused about Trump’s Oval Office return last month.
“When Americans see deportations or repatriations happen, they’re gonna be like, ‘Thank you,’” Donalds told Fox News previously. “When they see the border closed, they’re gonna say, ‘This is what I voted for.’ When they see peace starting to break out again around the world, they’re gonna be like, ‘This is the stability that we were asking for.’”
“Daddy’s back,” the Florida Republican continued.
The Hill has reached out to Donalds’s office for comment.
