Florida Sheriffs swing behind Byron Donalds in Governor’s race

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is adding two more Florida Sheriffs to his growing list of backers, pushing his total to 35 and giving him the support of most of the state’s elected Sheriffs in the race for Florida Governor.

The latest endorsements come from Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden and Madison County Sheriff David Harper, expanding a law enforcement coalition that has grown steadily over the past two weeks and now includes more than half of Florida’s 67 counties.

The announcement follows a wave of recent support.

On Monday, Donalds secured endorsements from Calhoun County Sheriff Michael Bryant, Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith, Jefferson County Sheriff Mac McNeill, and Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold. Last week, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma also endorsed Donalds, adding two of the state’s most recognizable sheriffs to his campaign.

With the latest additions, Donalds now counts 35 sheriffs among his supporters, a milestone his campaign says underscores growing confidence among law enforcement leaders as the Republican Primary takes shape.

Those Sheriffs join a broader coalition that includes President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, U.S. House Leadership, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation, and roughly 75% of the Republican caucus in the Florida House. The campaign says the endorsements reflect alignment around public safety, border enforcement, and cooperation with federal authorities.

“The majority of Florida’s Sheriffs endorse Byron Donalds because he is the law-and-order candidate for Governor,” said Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds Campaign. “As Governor, Byron Donalds will partner with President Trump and law enforcement to make Florida the safest state in America.”

The expanding list of endorsements comes as Donalds reports strong fundraising and favorable polling. His campaign highlighted robust fourth-quarter fundraising and internal surveys showing him leading Republican Primary opponents by wide margins and outperforming prospective Democratic challengers.

Political observers note that Sheriffs often carry considerable influence in local Republican Primaries, particularly in rural and suburban counties where public safety and immigration remain top concerns.

Endorsements from elected Sheriffs can also translate into grassroots organizing support, visibility at community events, and credibility with conservative voters.

Donalds’ campaign is emphasizing that backing law enforcement is a central pillar of its message, framing the race as a choice between continued conservative leadership and what it describes as weaker public safety policies pushed by Democrats nationwide.

With qualifying still ahead and the Primary months away, the contest is still fluid. However, the addition of Sheriff endorsements positions Donalds as a clear front-runner within the Republican field as the race for Governor builds momentum.