Arkansas Governor Endorses Byron Donald for Florida Gubernatorial Election

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially backed Congressman Byron Donald in the upcoming 2026 Florida gubernatorial election, marking her as the first sitting governor to do so for the Naples Republican.

“Byron Donald is tough, tried, and not afraid to stand up to the radical left,” Sanders told Breitbart News. “He advocates for families, champions law enforcement, and doesn’t cave to the woke mob. His commitment is to make Florida a safer, stronger, and more affordable place for families and seniors. I completely align with President Trump on this—Byron Donald is a proven America First conservative and clearly the best choice to lead Florida forward.”

Sanders’ endorsement comes after recent achievements by Donald’s campaign. His team revealed they raised a remarkable $45 million throughout 2025, with $13.1 million garnered just in the fourth quarter. This amount has surpassed what any gubernatorial campaign in Florida has raised by this point in the election cycle. Campaign officials noted this success was thanks to over 8,000 donors who contributed in the last three months of the year.

Ryan Smith, chief strategist at The Donald Inc., expressed, “Byron Donald enters the 2026 election as a proven conservative warrior who can unite Florida’s Republican Party, defeat Democrats, and enact affordable policies that benefit working families, seniors, and young individuals.”

In addition to his successful fundraising, Donald’s polling numbers have also been promising. A recent survey conducted from December 8-9 indicated he leads the Republican primary with 38% support among likely Republican voters. When informed of President Trump’s backing, his lead expanded significantly, increasing his approval rating to 50%. His nearest competitor, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, who hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, trails by 9%, which narrows to 7% when Trump’s support is factored in.

Donald has also gained endorsements from several influential figures, including Senator Rick Scott (Republican-Florida), U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Congressman Jimmy Patronis, Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk, golf icon Phil Mickelson, and several others. Additionally, at least 15 prominent Florida sheriffs and 75% of Republicans have expressed their support for him.

In a social media post on Thursday, Donald announced he has the endorsement of Turning Point Action, saying, “Charlie Kirk’s legacy continues through this great organization, and I’m thankful for their support in my gubernatorial campaign. Together, we aim to elevate the Sunshine State.”

Last year, President Trump praised Donald as a “total winner” who would “fight tirelessly to secure our borders, combat immigration crime, bolster our military, safeguard our veterans, restore economic strength, promote America’s energy dominance, and defend the Second Amendment, which is always under threat.”

Throughout his campaign, Donald has highlighted his intention to uphold the conservative legacy established by outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. During an interview, he expressed, “Governor DeSantis has made significant strides in our state, and we plan to build on that success.”