Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) isn’t rushing to lift up Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) as Florida’s next governor despite President Donald Trump’s recent preemptive endorsement of the congressman for 2026. DeSantis expressed doubt that Donalds should be looking at the gubernatorial race and encouraged him to focus on achieving legislative accomplishments with a slim Republican majority.

DeSantis touted his wife as a staunch conservative who would build on his legacy and argued that the state’s first lady could pull in even more voters than he did.

In Congress, he’s been part of the ultraconservative Tea Party caucus. Highly thought of by Republican colleagues, he won a few votes in early 2023 to become speaker of the Florida House. Following Trump’s lead, Donalds in January introduced a bill to end taxes on tips.

That leaves Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, as the last Florida Cabinet official still with potential to get in the governor’s race. He is a former Senate President who received Trump’s endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign in 2022.

Were Byron Donalds to run for Florida governor, he'd handily beat opponents, according to a poll shared by Trump. What do SWFL residents think?

President Trump has thrown his support behind Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) as Governor Ron DeSantis’ successor in Florida. Should Donalds run, he “will have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump said on social media,

The president pledged to give Donalds his full endorsement, announcing it in a post on Truth Social on Thursday evening.

Republicans with political aspirations have been haunted by a devastating possibility. One day, President Donald Trump could publicly endorse a political rival. That nightmare came true on Thursday for the GOPers eyeing the 2026 Florida governor’s race.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) was coy while discussing his potential Florida gubernatorial bid during a Friday interview while also expressing gratitude for landing an early endorsement from President Trump.