Trump Endorsed Candidate Fires Back At DeSantis
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) fired back at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) this week after the governor criticized Donalds for not being part of the state’s conservative victories. Donalds, who recently launched his campaign for governor, pointed to his strong record during his time in the Florida state legislature.
In a statement to The Hill, Donalds confidently defended his accomplishments, saying, “My time in the state legislature speaks for itself. I stood up for conservative values, including defending gun rights in Florida, and I passed groundbreaking legislation that allowed parents to review educational materials used in schools.” Donalds also expressed his admiration for DeSantis’ leadership but made it clear that his vision for Florida would build on the progress the governor has made, taking the state to new heights.
Donalds served in the Florida State House from 2016 to 2020, where he championed pro-family, pro-gun, and pro-freedom policies. He made waves by challenging his own party on critical issues and positioning himself as a defender of parental rights. His leadership during this time is a key part of his argument for why he’s ready to lead the state as its next governor.
This back-and-forth between the two Florida Republicans comes after Donalds formally entered the gubernatorial race on Tuesday. Governor DeSantis, speaking earlier this week, cast doubt on Donalds’ role in Florida’s victories, claiming he has been absent from the state’s efforts to push back against the left. “He’s just not been a part of it,” DeSantis remarked, referencing Donalds’ focus on national campaigns rather than state-level victories.
Their relationship soured further during the 2024 Republican presidential primary when Donalds endorsed President Trump over DeSantis. Tensions also rose over state education policies, particularly on African American history.
Despite the friction, Donalds downplayed the idea of a bitter rivalry, calling it “too soon” to predict the future dynamics of the Republican primary. “The response from the people in my state has been very positive,” he said. “Let’s see how things unfold.”
