President Donald Trump is expressing his support for Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) in the 2026 Florida governor’s race — if

The president pledged to give Donalds his full endorsement, announcing it in a post on Truth Social on Thursday evening.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) was coy while discussing his potential Florida gubernatorial bid during a Friday interview while also expressing gratitude for landing an early endorsement from President Trump.

"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!" - President Donald Trump

The endorsement comes as speculation has swirled that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wife, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, would run for her husband’s job.

Florida Republican Byron Donalds has joined the list of House members running for governor. “I’m here to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of the great state of Florida,” Donalds said Tuesday evening on Fox News.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has announced that he’s entering the race to succeed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2026.

Naples Congressman Byron Donalds ended a long tease Tuesday night: He's running for Florida governor. Days after President Donald Trump urged him "RUN, BYRON, RUN!" Donalds obliged, making his announcement on Fox News' Sean Hannity.

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe. The 2026 governor’s race is officially on.