Politics
Daniel Perez leads 63 House members in endorsing Byron Donalds for Governor
More than half the Florida House, including House Speaker Daniel Perez, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ bid for Governor.
On Wednesday morning, Donalds’ campaign announced 63 state Representatives had announced their support for the Naples Republican. That includes a handful of lawmakers, many based in Southwest Florida, who had issued announcements shortly after Donalds launched his campaign. The majority just now formally jumped on the Donalds’ train.
That includes Perez, though he already signaled his sentiments last month when political committees under his control gave $1 million to Donalds’ campaign. Perez noted President Donald Trump was the first to endorse Donalds, and most Republicans in the House are now following his lead.
“President Trump endorsed Byron Donalds for Governor for the same reason that Floridians will overwhelmingly elect him to serve as our next Governor,” Perez, a Miami Republican, said. “He will fight for our families and our state. He will make Florida government work for our people, not for himself. I am excited to endorse a true conservative champion to be our next Governor.”
Reps. Jennifer Canady, a Lakeland Republican in line for Speaker in 2028, and Mike Rendondo, who is set to wield the gavel in 2030, also now back Donalds.
“Byron Donalds is exactly the kind of leader Florida needs, a man of conviction and courage who will fight for families, protect our freedoms, and stand up for what’s right. Byron has always understood that strong schools, safe communities, and parental rights are the foundation of a thriving Florida. As a mom, a teacher, and a conservative, I know Byron will defend those values and ensure that every child in our state has the opportunity to succeed. I’m proud to support Byron Donalds for Governor,” Canady said.
Added Redondo, “Byron Donalds is a bold, America First conservative who will take Florida to new heights. He’s tough on crime, committed to securing our borders, and focused on making Florida more affordable for families and seniors. I’m proud to stand with Byron Donalds for Governor because he’s the Trump-endorsed conservative fighter we need to keep Florida thriving.”
In total, some 75% of the Republican caucus in the House now supports Donalds, who currently faces former House Speaker Paul Renner. That includes several members of leadership who served with Renner.
“Byron Donalds is a principled conservative who leads with courage, conviction, and integrity. He shares our commitment to growing Florida’s economy, protecting our freedoms, and backing the men and women of law enforcement who keep our communities safe,” said House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois, a Merritt Island Republican. “Byron understands what it takes to build a stronger Florida for working families, and he’ll always put our state and our people first. I’m proud to support Byron Donalds for Governor because he is a leader who will fight every day to keep Florida free, strong, and prosperous.”
The full list of endorsements includes: Reps. Shane Abbott; Jon Albert; Adam Anderson; Alex Andrade; Jessica Baker; Webster Barnaby; Yvette Benarroch; Dean Black; Omar Blanco; Erika Booth; David Borrero; Adam Botana; Nathan Boyles; Robbie Brackett; James Buchanan; Demi Busatta; Canady; Hillary Cassel; Nan Cobb; Bill Conerly; Wyman Duggan; Tiffany Esposito; Richard Gentry ; Anne Gerwig; Mike Giallombardo; Karen Gonzalez Pittman; Sam Greco; Griff Griffits; Jeff Holcomb; Berny Jacques; Kim Kendall; Traci Koster; Vicki Lopez; Fiona McFarland; Lauren Melo; Monique Miller; Jim Mooney; Danny Nix; Vanessa Oliver; Toby Overdorf; Bill Partington; Perez; Jenna Persons-Mulicka; Rachel Plakon; Susan Plasencia; Juan Carlos Porras; Redondo; Alex Rizo; Will Robinson; Michelle Salzman; Judson Sapp; Jason Shoaf; Sirois; David Smith; John Snyder; Paula Stark; Kevin Steele; Josie Tomkow; Dana Trabulsy; Chase Tramont; Kaylee Tuck; Susan Valdes; and Meg Weinberger.
The House version has yet to be filed as of this writing.
Sen. Jenn Bradley is looking for changes to straw laws in 2026.
The Fleming Island Republican has filed new legislation (SB 958) ahead of next year’s Regular Session.
The bill would require local governments with straw regulations to “amend any such rule, regulation, or ordinance in effect as of the effective date of this act which does not permit the sale or use of drinking straws and stirrers that are renewable, home compostable certified, industrial compostable certified, or marine biodegradable to permit the sale or use of renewable, homecompostable certified, industrial compostable certified and marine biodegradable drinking straws and stirrers.”
Marine biodegradable straws would have to be proven to decompose in water within a year.
Renewable straws would have to meet requirements of “USDA BioPreferred Program with biobased content of at least 80 percent; or The TUV Austria OK biobased program with a 4-star rating.”
“The straw bill does not preempt local government straw ordinances. Instead, it requires that those ordinances also include certified compostable and degradable straws,” Bradley said, explaining her bill.
“This updates those ordinances to reflect the newer, and safer straws that are available today — a benefit for the environment and for everyone who is forced to drink out of awful paper straws.”
The bill would “combat the harmful impacts of paper drinking straws and stirrers and provide businesses and residents of this state with better alternatives to single-use plastic straws and stirrers.”
It would also drive “uniformity of drinking straw and stirrer regulations throughout this state, rather than forcing businesses to comply with a patchwork of local regulations.”
No one has filed a companion bill in the House so far. The 2026 Legislative Session begins Jan. 13.
March for Our Lives, the Florida League of Women Voters and several pro-gun control groups are urging Senate President Ben Albritton to shut down a push to lower the minimum age to buy guns from 21 to 18.
The legislation (HB 133) has already passed through two House committees and is ready for the House floor. If it becomes law, the measure would repeal portions of protections the Legislature put in place after the Parkland school shooting.
“President Albritton, we urge you to use your authority as Senate President to prevent HB 133 from becoming law. Remember the promises made after our state’s darkest day. Remember those who buried their loved ones because a teenager could access a gun. Honor the bipartisan commitment lawmakers made in 2018: never again. Refuse to file a companion bill to HB 133, as you have done in previous years,” read the letter that was signed by 12 organizations.
The letter argued the evidence against HB 133 is “overwhelming” since individuals between 18 and 20 years old are more likely to commit suicide or shoot others than are older adults. The message also cited the threat that young people face from school shootings.
The Parkland shooter was 19. A 20-year-old suspect is also accused of shooting and killing two people and injuring others in April at Florida State University.
March for Our Lives Executive Director and Parkland survivor Jackie Corin called rolling back the minimum age a betrayal by lawmakers.
“The gun industry wants younger buyers to boost profits, and some lawmakers are willing to help, even if it costs students’ lives,” Corin said in a statement. “Young people in Florida deserve to grow up without wondering if the teenager next to them can legally buy an assault weapon.”
The full list of groups that signed the letter are: Newtown Action Alliance, Ban Assault Weapons NOW, Brady Florida, Brady Sarasota, Team ENOUGH, Community Safety Collective, Let Life Live Inc, Florida National Organization for Women, The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus and STOP Moms for Liberty.
The House has pushed for years to lower the minimum age back to 18.
“I wasn’t a member of the Legislature when that (Parkland) tragedy occurred. My view is this is the correct public policy to pursue to restore the rights of law-abiding 18-year-olds,” said Rep. Tyler Sirois, a Merritt Island Republican who sponsored the bill during the committee debate earlier this month.
Politics
NWF Health Network expands Christmas adoptions, bringing the gift of family to 22 Florida kids
Roblox CEO David Baszucki says the best career advice he’s ever received is to outright ignore the advice of others
Flyers Broadcaster Makes Oral Sex Joke On Hot Mic, Suspended Two Games
Scalpers and Jack & Jones arrive at Forum Montijo in Portugal’s Greater Lisbon
-
Politics8 years agoCongress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Entertainment8 years ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Politics8 years ago
Poll: Virginia governor’s race in dead heat
-
Entertainment8 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
-
Business8 years ago
6 Stunning new co-working spaces around the globe
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO