Johnson endorses Donalds for Florida governor, DeSantis keeps distance – Washington Examiner
House Speaker Mike Johnson has endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds in the race for Florida’s governorship in 2026, significantly enhancing Donalds’s position among candidates as the primary contest becomes increasingly competitive. Donalds has already attracted substantial financial support since announcing his candidacy in February and received the all-vital endorsement from former President Donald Trump earlier. Johnson praised Donalds as a “principled conservative leader” who aligns wiht the “America First” agenda. Though, Donalds faces challenges including the popular current Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been critical of Donalds’s early campaign declaration and may also run for the position after his term ends. Recent polling indicates a competitive race, with Donalds leading among likely Republican primary voters once Trump’s endorsement is factored in.
Johnson endorses Donalds in Florida governor race while DeSantis keeps distance
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in Florida‘s 2026 gubernatorial race, giving him a major boost in what appears set to be a crowded primary.
Donalds’s campaign has enjoyed a flood of donations since he announced his candidacy in late February, setting him up as a leading contender. Johnson’s endorsement gives him the backing of the most powerful man in Congress.
“Byron Donalds is a principled conservative leader who Floridians can trust as their next governor,” Johnson told Politico Playbook. “In Congress, Byron has been tenacious in standing up for Florida and President Trump’s America First agenda. I have no doubt he will bring that same fighting spirit with him as governor.”
Donalds already won the GOP’s most coveted endorsement, President Donald Trump, in late February. Johnson’s endorsement may unite many House Republicans behind their colleague.
DONALDS SURGING IN FUNDRAISING SINCE ANNOUNCING FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL RUN
Donalds’s biggest roadblock is the popular incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has hinted that his wife may be joining the race after he term limits out in 2026. DeSantis criticized Donalds’s announcement in February, saying it was too early, and suggested he wasn’t sufficiently conservative.
A Feb. 26-27 poll of 600 likely Republican primary voters, conducted by the research and strategic consulting firm Fabrizio Lee & Associates, hired by Donalds, showed a close race, with Donalds getting 34% of support and Casey DeSantis getting 30%. However, when voters were informed of Trump’s endorsement, Donalds’s lead surged by 22 points, 45% to 23%.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...