OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
7:57 AM – Thursday, April 2, 2026
Representative Byron Donalds, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, has raised $22.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 for his Gubernatorial campaign to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Donalds’ (R-Fla.) campaign announced the record-breaking number on Wednesday, which brought the combined total for Donalds’ campaign and the affiliated Friends of Byron Donalds PAC to over $67 million since February 2025, when he first launched his candidacy. The campaign claimed more than 10,000 donors contributed to the effort during the most recent quarter alone.
“It may be April 1, but this is no joke,” the campaign stated. “The Byron Donalds Campaign and Friends of Byron Donalds PAC announced the largest fundraising haul to date for the Trump-backed candidate for Florida governor.”
President Trump voiced his support for Donalds even before launching his bid on Truth Social, writing that he “would be a TRULY GREAT and POWERFUL Governor for Florida” and pledging his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Donalds’ campaign website also boasts of an endorsement from the slain Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk, as well as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-Ark.) and a host of Florida sheriffs, state senators and state representatives.
Recent polling also shows that Donalds is leading amongst Republicans heading into the primary elections this spring. A February survey found that he had 62% support among likely GOP primary voters, far ahead of Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and others running to replace incumbent DeSantis, who is term-limited.
In February, the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab found Donalds ahead with 31% support if Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis does not run for office. His support drops to 28% if she does enter the race, however, with 24% going to her. When Republican voters were made aware of Trump’s glowing endorsement, Donalds’ support rose to 47%, with 12% going to the state’s first lady.
Donalds’ chief campaign strategist, Ryan Smith, commented, “Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds is laser-focused on defeating the Democrats and keeping Florida Red this November. Byron Donalds is the America First conservative who will defend the Florida Dream by making the Sunshine State safer and more affordable for families and seniors. As Governor, Byron Donalds will lower our cost of living, protect our communities from illegal immigration, and stop the Radical Democrats from imposing their agenda on our state.”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
