U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), a former governor of Florida, has officially endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the upcoming race for governor, adding to the growing momentum behind Donalds as he seeks to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis.
“I am proud to stand with President Trump and endorse Byron Donalds for Governor of Florida,” Scott said in a statement issued Thursday. “Byron is a principled conservative who will lead with courage and conviction and fight on behalf of every Floridian.”
Scott praised Donalds’ legislative work, including their joint efforts to expand access to affordable flood insurance and provide disaster recovery aid following hurricanes. The senator also highlighted Donalds’ role during Scott’s gubernatorial tenure in helping secure billions in tax relief for Florida families.
“Byron will strengthen our economy, fight for seniors and veterans, protect our communities, and above all, make Florida more affordable for every family,” Scott added.
In response, Donalds thanked Scott for the endorsement, calling it “an honor” to have the support of a former governor and longtime ally.
“You have been an incredible leader for our state and it’s been an honor to fight alongside you on Capitol Hill,” Donalds said. “As Governor, I look forward to working with you and President Trump to strengthen Florida and Make America Great Again.”
Donalds, who represents Southwest Florida in Congress and is widely considered a rising figure within the Republican Party, announced his candidacy earlier this year with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. He has pledged to build on DeSantis’ policies while preparing Florida for long-term challenges, particularly in infrastructure, insurance, and economic development.
“We’re blessed to live in the best state in America,” Donalds told Breitbart News. “Governor DeSantis has led our state tremendously, and now it’s taking all that success and then…building upon it.”
Donalds has proposed a vision that includes improving transportation networks, driving down insurance costs, and positioning Florida as a global financial hub over the next decade.
“There’s a lot of things — whether it’s permitting, business formation, or attracting capital — that can make Florida the home of real economic growth,” he said.
With endorsements from two of Florida’s most prominent Republicans — Trump and Scott — Donalds enters the gubernatorial race as a clear front-runner in an election that could further solidify the GOP’s rapid transformation of the state.
Speculation had been swirling for months that Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis might enter the governor’s race herself, carrying on her husband’s legacy. However, Donalds’ rapid accumulation of high-profile endorsements — especially from Trump — appears to have taken the wind out of any potential campaign before it could officially launch. While Casey DeSantis has not made any public declarations regarding her intentions, the political momentum has clearly shifted toward Donalds as the presumed frontrunner in the GOP field.
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