Feb. 21 (UPI) — President Donald Trump made Rep. Byron Donalds the early frontrunner in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race to replace term-limited Ron DeSantis, saying on Truth Social on Thursday that he would have his endorsement.
Donalds, a long-time Trump loyalist, has not officially announced he is running for governor but quickly announced after the president’s message that an announcement would be “coming soon.”
“I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a total winner,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“As governor, Byron would have a big voice and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda. 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.”
Trump went on to say that Donalds would make a”great and powerful” governor and that he would have his “complete and total endorsement.”
Donalds, who would become Florida’s first African American governor is elected, reposted Trump’s message on X, returning Trump’s compliments.
“President Trump is Making America Great Again,” Donalds said on social media. “I’m committed to working with him to Keep Florida Great. Announcement coming soon.”
Trump’s full-throated endorsement could become problematic for other prominent Republicans who have been considering a run at governor, including Trump’s former attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz, current first lady Casey DeSantis, and state Agriculture Secretary Wilton Simpson.
Florida was expected to be the highlight of the 2026 governor races is expected to feature high-profile races in Iowa, where Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to face a primary challenger, and in Kentucky, where Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is term-limited.