Eight years ago, a little-known congressman from northeast Florida was politically dead in the water until Donald Trump endorsed him and he won the Republican primary by 20 points.
That congressman was Ron DeSantis.
And now nine Florida state senators announced they're backing Trump's pick – Congressman Byron Donalds – and what's happening to this governor's race looks like a replay of DeSantis' own coronation in 2018.
The Endorsement Wall Is Closing In
Senators Bryan Avila, Alexis Calatayud, Nick DiCeglie, Joe Gruters, Debbie Mayfield, Erin Grall, Gayle Harrell, Jonathan Martin, and Ana Maria Rodriguez all just put their names behind Donalds.
They made clear exactly why.
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2028621789555785803?s=20
"I'm proud to stand with President Trump and support Byron Donalds, a staunch fighter for the America First agenda," said Senator Debbie Mayfield.
Senator Jonathan Martin pointed to something specific that tells you everything about where Donalds stands when it matters most.
"I saw Byron's true conservative bonafides when he voted no on the Parkland bill," Martin said. "I have tremendous respect for his willingness to stand up to intense pressure to do what he believes is right and protect our constitutional rights regardless of politics."
That's the kind of spine Florida's next governor is going to need.
One senator in that group deserves special attention.
Joe Gruters endorsed Donalds in February 2025 – before he became chairman of the Republican National Committee.
The man now running the entire national Republican Party made his pick over a year ago.
The nine senators join Trump, Elon Musk, House Speaker Mike Johnson, 17 members of Florida's congressional delegation, 75% of the Republican caucus in the Florida House, and more than 35 Florida sheriffs.
The Numbers Don't Lie
A new University of North Florida poll found Donalds pulling 44% in a four-way primary field before voters even hear about Trump's endorsement.
Once informed of Trump's backing, that number jumps to 62%.
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2028503589484679464?s=20
His closest declared opponent, investment firm CEO James Fishback, sits at 5%. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is at 4%. Former House Speaker Paul Renner is at 2%.
Donalds raised $45 million in 2025 alone – more than any gubernatorial campaign in Florida history at this point in the election cycle.
His PAC just launched a seven-figure digital ad buy featuring Florida sheriffs, with more ads on the way.
This isn't a race. It's a coronation in progress.
He's Done This Before
When Trump endorsed DeSantis in December 2017, DeSantis was trailing Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – a two-term incumbent with deep establishment ties and a fat war chest.
It didn't matter.
DeSantis won that primary by nearly 20 points.
The pattern is identical today.
Ron DeSantis is now quietly running a proxy war against Donalds, lobbying Trump to pull back his endorsement and trying to clear the field for another candidate.
It isn't working.
Every week another round of senators, sheriffs, and congressmen lines up behind the man Trump already chose.
Donalds – a Brooklyn kid who came to Florida at 17, worked his way from financial adviser to the state legislature to Congress – would become Florida's first Black governor if he wins.
He's not here to change what DeSantis built.
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2028503626025509106?s=20
He's here to keep building it, alongside a president who already has Florida running a 13-point margin in his favor.
Thirty-five sheriffs don't endorse the same man by accident.
Seventeen congressmen don't line up behind a guy they think is going to lose.
And the new chairman of the Republican National Committee didn't quietly back Donalds over a year ago because he had doubts.
Florida Republicans have made their call.
The August 18 primary is the formality.
Sources:
- Frank Kopylov, "Nine Florida State senators endorse Byron Donalds in 2026 governor's race," FL Voice News, Feb. 27, 2026.
- Frank Kopylov, "POLL: Byron Donalds holds 40-point lead in Florida GOP gubernatorial primary," FL Voice News, Feb. 27, 2026.
- Jacob Ogles, "Byron Donalds raised $45M over course of 2025 to run for Governor; added $13M in Q4," Florida Politics, Jan. 5, 2026.
- Jesse Mendoza, "9 Republican Senators endorse Byron Donalds for Governor as he builds GOP support," Florida Politics, Feb. 27, 2026.
- "Trump-backed DeSantis wins Florida GOP gubernatorial primary," PBS NewsHour, Aug. 29, 2018.
- "Florida Sheriffs swing behind Byron Donalds in Governor's race," Florida Politics, Jan. 28, 2026.
