Law enforcement in Florida keeps sending the same message about who should run the state.
And they're backing it up with endorsements that tell you everything about where this race is headed.
But Byron Donalds just locked down nearly half of Florida's GOP sheriffs with this power move.
Trump's Pick Builds Unstoppable Law Enforcement Coalition
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced Tuesday that 12 more Republican sheriffs have endorsed his campaign for Florida Governor.¹
That brings his total sheriff support to 27 — representing nearly half of all Republican sheriffs in the state.¹
The new wave of endorsements came from sheriffs across Florida's diverse regions, from the Panhandle to Central Florida.
Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson, a former president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, praised Donalds as the candidate law enforcement needs.
"Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds is a leader who understands what it takes to keep Florida safe," Adkinson said.¹
"Byron Donalds has always stood shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement, supporting the tools, training, and policies that keep our communities secure," Adkinson added.¹
Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden, who has over three decades in law enforcement, pointed to Trump's endorsement as proof Donalds is the proven conservative leader Florida needs.
"President Trump's endorsement says it all: Byron is the proven conservative leader Florida needs," Rhoden stated.¹
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/1990935705996898487?s=20
The 12 new endorsements include sheriffs from Baker, Columbia, Escambia, Glades, Hamilton, Highlands, Holmes, Lake, Sarasota, Suwannee, Walton, and Washington counties.¹
Donalds first rolled out 15 sheriff endorsements in September, demonstrating early law-and-order credibility.²
That initial wave included high-profile backing from Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, and Tampa Bay's Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.²
DeSantis Allies Watch Trump's Pick Build Momentum
The sheriff endorsements showcase Donalds' ability to unite law enforcement across Florida's 67 counties.
Five of the sheriffs represent Florida's top 10 counties by population, giving Donalds crucial credibility in both urban centers and rural communities.²
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, one of Florida's most politically active sheriffs, called Donalds a "proven no-nonsense champion for law enforcement."²
"He is committed to being tough on crime and even tougher on criminals and will never tolerate woke policies that let criminals roam free," Ivey declared.²
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco was the first sheriff to endorse Donalds back in September, describing him as "the leader that Florida needs in this moment."²
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/1983611395200741864?s=20
Donalds entered the race in February with President Donald Trump's complete and total endorsement.³
Trump posted on Truth Social that Donalds "would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida" and told him "RUN, BYRON, RUN!"³
The President's backing came after Trump won Florida by 13 percentage points in 2024 and is widely seen as the most powerful force in Florida Republican politics.³
Donalds has positioned himself as the law-and-order candidate committed to keeping Florida the safest state in the nation.
"I will stand in lockstep with our sheriffs and law enforcement as we work to protect Florida from criminal illegal aliens, keep drugs off our streets, and implement strong public safety laws to protect our families," Donalds said.¹
The Naples Republican's campaign messaging emphasizes working closely with Trump to implement the America First agenda at the state level.
One poll showed Donalds crushing the competition with 40% support while other candidates barely registered at 2% each.⁴
https://twitter.com/LouisLJJohns/status/1987296404226662902?s=20
Tell voters Trump backs Donalds, and watch what happens to Casey DeSantis — Donalds jumps to 44% while she drops to 25%.⁵
The sheriff endorsements aren't accidental.
Rolling out 27 sheriffs in two waves shows Donalds knows exactly what he's doing.
Republican primary voters care about one thing above everything else right now: who's going to keep their families safe.
Having nearly half of Florida's Republican sheriffs answer that question makes it pretty hard for anyone else to claim the law-and-order lane.
And Donalds isn't just collecting endorsements — he's raising serious money.
More than $12 million since February, most of it pouring into his political committee.⁵
Between Trump's backing, the sheriff's coalition, and a war chest that keeps growing, Donalds looks like the guy to beat in Florida's 2026 race.
Sheriff endorsements matter in Republican primaries.
These aren't politicians making political calculations.
These are the men and women voters trust to show up when they dial 911.
The backing from nearly half of Florida's Republican sheriffs signals that law enforcement sees Donalds as their champion who will actually deliver on public safety promises.
For a candidate running on implementing Trump's America First agenda at the state level, locking down this law enforcement coalition removes any doubt about where Florida's sheriffs stand.
¹ Michelle Vecerina, "Byron Donalds gains 12 more Republican sheriff's endorsements, now backed by nearly half of Florida GOP sheriffs," Florida News, November 18, 2025.
² Jacob Ogles, "'Making Florida great': 15 Sheriffs endorse Byron Donalds for Governor," Florida Politics, September 29, 2025.
³ Mychael Schnell, "Trump endorses Donalds in potential bid for Florida governor," The Hill, February 21, 2025.
⁴ Hannah Demissie, "FL Governor's Race: Rep. Byron Donalds Endorsed by 15 Top Florida Sheriffs," Breitbart, September 30, 2025.
⁵ Mitch Perry, "New poll of GOP gov race shows the power of Trump endorsement in Donalds-Casey DeSantis matchup," Florida Phoenix, May 9, 2025.
