Byron Donalds seeks Florida governor seat in 2026

Republican Byron Donalds, a U.S. representative from Naples, is running for governor of Florida in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Donalds represents Florida's 19th Congressional District, which includes parts of Southwest Florida. He faces Democrat David Jolly, Libertarian Scott Jewett and several candidates with no party preference: Charles Burkett, Dean Ocean Abrams, Frank Russo, Jeffrey Peter Datto and Moliere Dimanche, according to BallotReady election data.

On his campaign website, Donalds says he wants to lower taxes, solve the property insurance crisis, reduce housing costs and make Florida "the nation's financial capital."

Candidate information

Party: Republican
Residence: Naples, Florida
Family: Wife, Erika, and three sons, Damon, Darin and Mason, according to his campaign website
Hometown: Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York
Education: High school diploma, Nazareth Regional High School, 1996; bachelor's degree in finance and marketing, Florida State University, 2002

Experience and public service

Donalds has held elected office at both the state and federal level, according to his congressional biography and BallotReady profile data.

U.S. House of Representatives: Representative for Florida's 19th Congressional District, 2021 to present
Florida House of Representatives: Representative for District 80, 2016 to 2020
Florida House committee leadership: Insurance & Banking Subcommittee chairman, 2019 to 2020; PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee chair, 2018 to 2019
Florida Southwestern State College: Board of trustees member (appointed)

Before entering politics, Donalds worked in finance and insurance, according to BallotReady profile data. He served as assistant vice president at TIB Bank from 2003 to 2007, director of premium management at CMG Life Services Inc. from 2007 to 2015, and financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors from 2015 to 2016.

On the issues

The following positions come from Donalds' campaign website and BallotReady candidate responses.

Economy and housing: Donalds says Florida "is too expensive for many of our families and seniors" and pledges to solve the property insurance crisis and lower housing costs. He says lower taxes, less regulation and strong schools will keep the economy growing.

Environment: Donalds says he would work to complete Everglades restoration, improve water quality, expand water supply access and protect beaches and natural resources. He says he supports environmental research that does not burden taxpayers.

Education: Donalds says he championed school choice and parental rights while serving in the Florida House. He says he led the effort to enact Hope Scholarships and passed a bill allowing parents and community members to review instructional materials in schools.

Taxes: Donalds says he supports reducing tax rates and eliminating loopholes. His campaign website says Florida must remain "the launchpad to the American Dream" through lower taxes and less regulation. During his time in Congress, Donalds also called for zero-based budgeting at the federal level.

Immigration: Donalds says he supports securing the southern border and reforming the entry/exit visa system to eliminate visa overstays.