Americans for Prosperity Action backs Byron Donalds for Governor, adding to front-runner status

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has earned the endorsement of Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action), AFP’s campaign arm, in his bid for Florida Governor.

While the endorsement is a big get in and of itself, it also comes with the nationwide organization’s grassroots backing, which will help educate and mobilize voters to support Donalds’ campaign.

“Congressman Donalds built a strong policy record for himself during his time in Congress, and AFP Action is confident that he will continue to be a leader on housing and insurance reform, education, and fiscal oversight as governor,” AFP Action Senior Advisor for Florida Skylar Zander said in a written statement.

“We are glad that Congressman Donalds wants to protect Florida’s 2023 tort reform laws and to continue depopulating Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. He is a strong supporter of school choice, having passed legislation that created the Hope Scholarship.”

Donalds said he was grateful for the group’s support.

“This campaign is about making sure every voter who wants lower costs, more opportunity, and accountable government has their voice heard. As Governor, I will advance policies that promote economic freedom, protect individual liberty, and hold government accountable to the people it serves,” he said.

The endorsement comes after a University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll released the same day showed Donalds leading Democratic candidate David Jolly with 42% support for the Naples Republican compared to 36% for Jolly, a former U.S. Representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District in Pinellas County.

The poll also showed Donalds leading Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings with nearly identical support, at 43% to 36%.

Donalds is the front-runner in a crowded race that includes former House Speaker Paul Renner, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and GOP firebrand James Fishback, with some still speculating whether First Lady Casey DeSantis might still jump in the race, though that is becoming increasingly unlikely.

A late February poll from the same pollsters found Donalds leading all current GOP candidates and DeSantis should she mount a last-minute bid. That poll put all declared candidates with single-digit support, with Donalds leading a hypothetical DeSantis bid at 28% to 24%.

“Florida’s next governor will surely make decisions that will impact Floridians beyond the next four years. That’s why it is critical that our next governor not only has a proven policy record but also exercises solid leadership,” Zander said.

“Floridians deserve a race focused on the real issues that matter — attainable homeownership, education freedom, insurance stability, and fiscal responsibility — rather than personal attacks, political games or divisive rhetoric that pulls attention away from solutions.”

The UNF polls aren’t the only ones showing Donalds as the clear front-runner in the GOP Primary. Another poll last week from the Ryan Tyson-backed American Promise showed Donalds with 51% support among self-identified “very conservative” voters, and 59% support among respondents who said they watch Fox News frequently.

Donalds’ edge in the race is at least in part fueled by support from President Donald Trump, who endorsed the Southwest Florida member of Congress early in his race. The American Promise survey showed that when voters were informed of Trump’s endorsement, Donalds’ support jumped to 62%.

“Congressman Donalds is running a campaign grounded in real solutions — tackling the big challenges facing Florida today and building a stronger future for families through proven conservative policies and strong principled leadership. AFP Action is thrilled to support Donalds and looks forward to deploying our grassroots network on his behalf,” Zander said.