U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ has picked up support from nine prominent Republican Senators, further cementing his position as the leading contender in the GOP Primary for Governor.
The nine Senators join former President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, a majority of Florida Sheriffs, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation and 75% of the Republican caucus in the Florida House in endorsing Donalds.
The supporters include Sens. Bryan Ávila of Miami Springs, Alexis Calatayud of Miami, Nick DiCeglie of Indian Rocks Beach, Joe Gruters of Sarasota, Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne, Erin Grall of Vero Beach, Gayle Harrell of Stuart, Jonathan Martin of Fort Myers and Ana Maria Rodriguez of Doral. The release notes that Gruters’ endorsement was made in February 2025, before his selection as Republican National Committee Chair.
The legislators said they stand with Trump’s endorsement, and described Donalds as a “staunch fighter for the American First agenda.”
“He has already shown his commitment to securing our borders, backing law enforcement, cutting wasteful government spending, and standing up to woke ideologies in Congress and the Florida House, and I’m confident he’ll do the same as our state’s next Governor. Together, we will keep Florida free, safe, and prosperous,” Mayfield said.
Martin, who said he has known Donalds since 2012, said the Congressman’s vote against the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act — commonly referred to as the Parkland bill — as evidence of his conservative credentials.
“Byron and I met when I was running for State House and he was running for Congress in 2012. Since then, we’ve been on the same side of almost every major issue,” Martin said. “I saw Byron’s true conservative bonafides when he voted no on the Parkland bill. I have tremendous respect for his willingness to stand up to intense pressure to do what he believes is right and protect our constitutional rights regardless of politics.”
Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Donalds campaign, said the endorsements are a sign of “unmatched momentum” that also include a $45 million haul in fundraising in 2025.
“Byron Donalds is the Trump-endorsed conservative leader Republicans trust to keep Florida strong,” Smith said. “From securing our borders and backing law enforcement to lowering costs for working families and seniors, Byron has built an America First record that Florida voters can trust.”
