Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his endorsement of a slate of Republican candidates Tuesday, including U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for governor. The endorsement took place at the Florida GOP Leadership Forum in Tampa.
DeSantis stated his support for the slate was important for the state of Florida. The forum also featured Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. DeSantis had previously appointed Ingoglia as CFO in July 2025 and Uthmeier as attorney general last year.
Donalds, who secured the Florida GOP gubernatorial primary in August with backing from President Donald Trump, is set to face Democratic candidate former U.S. Rep. David Jolly in the general election. Jolly, while currently running as a Democrat, previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican.
Under the Florida Constitution, DeSantis, who is serving his second consecutive term, is ineligible to run for another consecutive term as governor. The constitution stipulates that "no person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term."
Donalds expressed his honor in receiving DeSantis' endorsement, writing on X that "Governor DeSantis has done incredible work to make Florida the envy of America. As your next Governor, I will build on his success and defend the Florida Dream."