Sheriff endorsements typically matter in Florida politics.
This one sends a message loud and clear.
And Byron Donalds just got one endorsement that has Ron DeSantis stewing.
One of Florida's most well-known sheriffs backs Donalds
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri became the 36th Florida sheriff to endorse Byron Donalds for governor.
That means Donalds has the backing of more than half the state's 67 sheriffs.
Gualtieri isn't just another Republican sheriff.
He's one of the most nationally recognized law enforcement figures in the country after leading the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Commission following the 2018 Parkland massacre.
Governor Rick Scott tapped Gualtieri to chair the commission that investigated the shooting and produced a 500-page report transforming school safety across Florida.
"We need Byron Donalds as the next governor of Florida," Gualtieri said. "Crime is at an all-time low, and to keep Florida safe, we need a law-and-order governor who supports law enforcement. The best person for the job is Byron Donalds."
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2021595275349959147?s=20
The endorsement comes as Donalds racks up sheriff support at a pace leaving his Republican primary opponents in the dust.
Trump endorsed Donalds in February 2025, and that endorsement has become the most powerful force in the race.
Ron DeSantis is left out in the cold
Polling shows Trump's endorsement is worth pure gold.
A Fabrizio, Lee & Associates poll found that when Republican voters know Trump backs Donalds, his support surges to 68% versus just 10% for Casey DeSantis.
That's a 58-point demolition.
Ron DeSantis has made it crystal clear he's not backing Donalds despite the congressman's dominant position.
The governor got snippy when reporters asked about Trump endorsing Donalds, dismissing the question and pivoting to praise his wife Casey as a potential candidate.
"She would do better than me," DeSantis said about his wife possibly running for governor.
That's retreat mode.
Gualtieri's endorsement stings because the sheriff has deep ties to DeSantis' administration.
DeSantis appointed Gualtieri to lead the school safety commission in 2018.
Now Gualtieri is publicly backing the Trump-endorsed candidate DeSantis clearly doesn't want.
Donalds also has backing from Elon Musk, House Republican leadership, 17 members of Florida's congressional delegation, and roughly 75% of the Republican caucus in the Florida House.
DeSantis wanted to be the kingmaker who picks his successor.
Trump had other plans.
https://twitter.com/FLVoiceNews/status/2021691467467514142?s=20
Donalds dominates the money race
Money tells the real story.
Donalds raised $45 million throughout 2025, including $13 million in the fourth quarter.
Casey DeSantis has shown no evidence of securing major funding commitments.
She's considering a run but starting from zero while Donalds has a massive war chest.
A Mason-Dixon poll from January showed Donalds with 37% support before voters even learn about Trump's endorsement.
Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins trails badly at 7%.
Former House Speaker Paul Renner gets 4%.
CEO James Fishback sits at 3%.
DeSantis and Trump had a messy falling out when the governor challenged Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination.
https://twitter.com/ByronWarRoom/status/2021674695309869387?s=20
Donalds was so close to DeSantis that he introduced the governor's family at his 2022 victory party.
Then Donalds endorsed Trump in the 2024 primary.
DeSantis viewed that as betrayal.
Now Trump is returning the favor by making sure Donalds becomes Florida's next governor whether DeSantis likes it or not.
Gualtieri's endorsement shows the law enforcement community has made its choice.
They're backing the Trump-endorsed candidate with the proven conservative record and the money to win.
Sources:
- Anita Padilla, "Pinellas County Sheriff Gualtieri endorses Byron Donalds for Florida governor," Florida News, February 11, 2026.
- Peter Schorsch, "Bob Gualtieri joins majority of Florida Sheriffs in backing Byron Donalds for Governor," Florida Politics, February 11, 2026.
- "Latest 2026 Florida GOP gubernatorial poll shows Byron Donalds blowing away the rest of the field," Florida Phoenix, January 9, 2026.
- "Polls: Rep. Byron Donalds is 'clear frontrunner' in 2026 Florida governor race," WTSP, January 2026.
- "Poll: Donald Trump's endorsement gives Byron Donalds double-digit lead in GOP Primary for Governor," Florida Politics, March 10, 2025.
- "DeSantis disses Donalds, touts First Lady, when asked about 2026 governor race," Florida Phoenix, February 24, 2025.
- "Casey DeSantis considers running for Florida governor amid push from top donors," NBC News, February 7, 2025.
