Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida has officially endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for the upcoming gubernatorial election, emphasizing their shared conservative values and support for President Trump’s agenda. Scott praised Donalds as a ‘principled conservative’ who will lead with ‘courage and conviction’ to address critical issues such as flood insurance affordability, hurricane recovery, and tax relief for Florida families. The endorsement marks a significant moment for Donalds, who has already received strong backing from Trump, and reflects the shifting political dynamics within the state as DeSantis, who is term-limited, steps aside.
This support is part of a broader trend of Trump-aligned figures influencing the political landscape, with Scott and Trump also endorsing Sen. Ashley Moody for her Senate bid. DeSantis, who is serving his second term in the post, is not eligible to run again in 2026 due to state term limits. The Florida constitution states 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’ campaign has been bolstered by the strong backing of Trump, who declared in a February Truth Social post, ‘Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!’ The endorsement reflects the growing influence of Trump’s political allies in shaping Florida’s political landscape, with Scott’s support serving as a critical endorsement in a closely contested race.
Meanwhile, DeSantis tapped Moody to replace Marco Rubio, who departed the Senate well before the end of his term to serve as Trump’s secretary of state. Moody is aiming to win a special election next year to serve out the remainder of what would have been Rubio’s Senate term. This political realignment underscores the ongoing shifts within the Republican Party, as key figures align with Trump’s vision for the state and the broader national agenda.