‘Looks like that's that.’ Trump might have effectively concluded the Florida governor's contest.
Trump's endorsement played a significant role in boosting Ron DeSantis during the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump ended the speculation about his preferred candidate for the 2026 Florida governor’s race on Thursday with a post on Truth Social, endorsing Rep. Byron Donalds, a loyal supporter, for the position.
Trump's endorsement is expected to significantly impact the race in Florida, a state he won by 13 points in November and which he has called home since 2019. In his post, Trump encouraged Donalds to run, praising him as a “highly respected congressman” and a “TOTAL WINNER” who had been “tested at the highest and most difficult levels.”
Trump made his gubernatorial preference clear before any candidates, including Donalds, announced their intentions. His announcement comes amid heightened speculation about whether Casey DeSantis, the wife of current Gov. Ron DeSantis, would pursue the role, as the governor has been increasingly focused on his legacy.
“Looks like that's that,” a donor and supporter of Ron DeSantis texted PMG after reading Trump’s post.
Approximately an hour later, Donalds responded to the endorsement with a social media post indicating that he plans to enter the race soon. He stated, "President Trump is Making America Great Again. I'm committed to working with him to Keep Florida Great. Announcement coming soon!"
Trump's post may not only quash speculation about Casey DeSantis but could also lead Wilton Simpson, the state’s agriculture commissioner, to forgo the governor's race and instead seek re-election. Simpson has raised millions for his political committees that could have funded a gubernatorial campaign.
"That's a big boost for Byron," said former Rep. Matt Gaetz in a text message, having previously considered his own run for governor following a brief attempt to become attorney general for Trump.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested his preference in the governor’s race by sharing a poll that placed Donalds ahead among potential candidates. The survey did not measure how Donalds compared against Casey DeSantis, but another poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab showed her favorability ratings were twice that of his.
Trump made the endorsement before addressing the Republican Governors Association’s annual meeting in Washington. His 2018 endorsement of Ron DeSantis helped elevate him from a lesser-known congressman to the leading candidate in that race. Despite later expressing regret about that endorsement after DeSantis challenged him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, the two appear to have mostly reconciled.
While Donalds has not formally announced his candidacy for the Florida governorship, NBC News reported that he indicated to donors at a Republican meeting in January that he was considering the move. He has also shown intent by hiring Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio and fundraiser Megan McKinley, who previously worked for Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the presidential campaign, Trump often joked about Donalds running for governor at rallies and fundraisers.
Donalds campaigned for Trump in 2024 and was instrumental in reaching out to Black voters.
If Donalds decides to run and wins, he would make history as the first Black governor of Florida. Currently serving his third term in Congress, Donalds used to be close with DeSantis and was the only individual to speak at his 2022 landslide reelection victory. However, the two experienced a fallout over conflicting views on African American history standards for middle schoolers in Florida, which stated that enslaved people “developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Trump's endorsement is expected to significantly impact the race in Florida, a state he won by 13 points in November and which he has called home since 2019. In his post, Trump encouraged Donalds to run, praising him as a “highly respected congressman” and a “TOTAL WINNER” who had been “tested at the highest and most difficult levels.”
Trump made his gubernatorial preference clear before any candidates, including Donalds, announced their intentions. His announcement comes amid heightened speculation about whether Casey DeSantis, the wife of current Gov. Ron DeSantis, would pursue the role, as the governor has been increasingly focused on his legacy.
“Looks like that's that,” a donor and supporter of Ron DeSantis texted PMG after reading Trump’s post.
Approximately an hour later, Donalds responded to the endorsement with a social media post indicating that he plans to enter the race soon. He stated, "President Trump is Making America Great Again. I'm committed to working with him to Keep Florida Great. Announcement coming soon!"
Trump's post may not only quash speculation about Casey DeSantis but could also lead Wilton Simpson, the state’s agriculture commissioner, to forgo the governor's race and instead seek re-election. Simpson has raised millions for his political committees that could have funded a gubernatorial campaign.
"That's a big boost for Byron," said former Rep. Matt Gaetz in a text message, having previously considered his own run for governor following a brief attempt to become attorney general for Trump.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested his preference in the governor’s race by sharing a poll that placed Donalds ahead among potential candidates. The survey did not measure how Donalds compared against Casey DeSantis, but another poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab showed her favorability ratings were twice that of his.
Trump made the endorsement before addressing the Republican Governors Association’s annual meeting in Washington. His 2018 endorsement of Ron DeSantis helped elevate him from a lesser-known congressman to the leading candidate in that race. Despite later expressing regret about that endorsement after DeSantis challenged him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, the two appear to have mostly reconciled.
While Donalds has not formally announced his candidacy for the Florida governorship, NBC News reported that he indicated to donors at a Republican meeting in January that he was considering the move. He has also shown intent by hiring Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio and fundraiser Megan McKinley, who previously worked for Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the presidential campaign, Trump often joked about Donalds running for governor at rallies and fundraisers.
Donalds campaigned for Trump in 2024 and was instrumental in reaching out to Black voters.
If Donalds decides to run and wins, he would make history as the first Black governor of Florida. Currently serving his third term in Congress, Donalds used to be close with DeSantis and was the only individual to speak at his 2022 landslide reelection victory. However, the two experienced a fallout over conflicting views on African American history standards for middle schoolers in Florida, which stated that enslaved people “developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
