Ahead of a speech at the Miami-Dade GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner, a Senator from Texas is endorsing U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
“Byron Donalds is exactly the kind of strong conservative leader Florida needs. He has never shied away from a fight and is firmly grounded in the constitutional principles of faith, freedom, and liberty,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz posted to social media.
Though Cruz has spent his political career in Texas, he’s not a total stranger to Florida. He has spoken to Republican groups over the years, and he participated in the 2016 Presidential Primary as well.
Cruz said he and Donalds “fought side by side to pass the biggest federal school choice legislation in history.”
“I have full faith and confidence that he will fight day in and day out against the encroaching ideas of the left and will stand up for the hardworking and freedom-loving patriots of Florida,” Cruz said.
Cruz’s endorsement continues a trend of Beltway Republicans led by President Donald Trump backing Donalds, a Congressman from Naples who appears to be the front-runner in the still evolving field of candidates who want to succeed incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A recent St. Pete Polls survey shows Donalds with 39% support against former House Speaker Paul Renner and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, each with less than 4% support. Renner is a declared candidate, while Collins has yet to announce.
Donalds has raised more than $31 million already, much more than any other declared candidate.
