Byron Donalds
Republican candidate for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Florida · Open seat
U.S. Representative for Florida's 19th Congressional District
Byron Donalds is a Republican who has represented Florida's 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House since January 2021, and before that he served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2020. President Trump endorsed him for governor in February 2025, and he won the 2026 Republican primary. In August 2026 he picked state Sen. Bryan Avila of Miami as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
Where Donalds stands
- Property taxes
- Says that if he is elected governor he will push to eliminate all property taxes. He also pledged to bring back homestead-exemption property tax cuts if the November amendment fails.
- Property tax structure
- Says Florida should move away from a 'one size fits all' property tax system and has been discussing tax reform ideas while campaigning.
- Property insurance
- Proposes lowering property insurance rates through tort reform and by expanding home-hardening programs for homes built before 1992.
- Education / school choice
- Defends Florida's school choice policies when challenged by opponent David Jolly.
- Campaign priorities
- His campaign website lists affordability, health care, the economy and education among his priority issues.
Background
- U.S. Representative, Florida's 19th District, 2021–present
- Florida House of Representatives, District 80, 2016–2020
- Endorsed for governor by President Trump, February 2025
- 2026 Republican nominee for Governor of Florida; running mate state Sen. Bryan Avila
In the news
- More Than 150 Local Florida Officials Throw Support Behind Byron Donalds For Governor Tampa Free Press, October 22, 2026
- Byron Donalds wants to move beyond 'one size fits all' property tax system Florida Politics, October 14, 2026
- Byron Donalds, David Jolly outline differences on property taxes, insurance at Fort Lauderdale summit CBS Miami, September 24, 2026
- Another GOP candidate tries to distance himself from Trump CNN, September 22, 2026
Also running for Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- David Jolly Democratic
- Scott Eckhard Jewett Libertarian
- Dean Ocean Abrams No Party Affiliation
- Charles Burkett No Party Affiliation
- Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto No Party Affiliation
- Moliere "Moe" Dimanche No Party Affiliation
- Frank J. Russo No Party Affiliation
Sources
- Wikipedia: Byron Donalds
- Wikipedia: 2026 Florida gubernatorial election
- Fox 35: Donalds picks Bryan Avila as running mate
- First Coast News race guide
- WLRN: economic plans
- wlrn.org
- floridapolitics.com
- wsvn.com
Last researched October 22, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.