Byron Donalds, a 47-year-old congressman and prominent defender of Donald Trump, leads Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary and could become the state’s first Black governor. Critics say his alignment with Trump complicates the question of race and political loyalty, while supporters emphasize his rising conservative profile and Trump’s endorsement. The primary also signals a potential decline in Ron DeSantis’ influence after controversies surrounding his circle.
Florida Could Elect Its First Black Governor — Byron Donalds, A Prominent Trump Ally, Tops GOP Primary
Florida's First-Ever Black Governor Could Be A Trump Apologist
Byron Donalds, a Naples congressman who rose to national prominence defending former President Donald Trump, is the front-runner in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary and could become the state’s first Black governor.
Donalds, 47, who began his third term in Congress after a career as a financial adviser, became a frequent presence on cable news after taking office in 2021. He has publicly defended Trump through the ex-president’s legal and political controversies — including prosecutions tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the dispute over classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, and other business-related allegations — and has emerged as one of Trump’s most visible African American supporters.
Race, Reputation and Political Calculus
Critics argue that Donalds’ alignment with Trump raises complex questions about race and political loyalty. "Consenting to Trump's racism is the price of admission for a Black Republican to MAGA World," said longtime Republican consultant Mac Stipanovich, who left the party after Trump’s rise. Supporters, meanwhile, point to Donalds’ conservative record and appeal to Republican voters across Florida.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) leaves the U.S. Capitol after the last vote of the week on April 23, 2026. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
"I'm aware of it, but I don't really focus on it," Donalds told a Miami CBS affiliate in March when asked about his race and its role in his politics.
Who He’s Running Against
Donalds faces several GOP opponents, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner. A controversial candidate, James Fishback, has also drawn attention for antisemitic and racist social media posts; in January Fishback wrote that "By'rone wants to turn Florida into a Section 8 ghetto." Donalds has publicly dismissed such attacks as attention-seeking.
What This Means For DeSantis And Florida Politics
The primary also underscores a possible turning point for Ron DeSantis’ influence in the state. DeSantis — who rose to national prominence after winning a narrow 2018 race and campaigning against pandemic restrictions and so-called "woke" policies — has not endorsed a successor. Speculation that Casey DeSantis might run dissolved after reports that a charity tied to her moved roughly $10 million from a Medicaid settlement into political activity opposing certain ballot measures.
Whoever wins the GOP primary is expected to face Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who left the party after Trump’s takeover and is running with little opposition in the Democratic primary.
Why Voters Should Care
The race poses a striking paradox for Florida voters: the state could elect its first Black governor even as that candidate’s national profile is tied to defending a president widely criticized for racially charged rhetoric. The primary will help determine not only Florida’s next governor but also how the Republican Party navigates questions of race, loyalty and electability in the Trump era.
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