Byron Donald’s Impressive Fundraising in Florida Gubernatorial Race

Byron Donald’s campaign, along with the Friends of Byron Donald PAC, has reported a significant fundraising achievement, raising $22.2 million in the first quarter of 2026. This impressive amount, gathered from over 10,000 donors, marks a historic high for a non-incumbent candidate in Florida’s gubernatorial elections, according to the campaign.

Back in January, it was mentioned that the campaign aimed to raise $45 million for the entire year, with $13.1 million accrued just in the fourth quarter of 2025. This total was noted as the largest amount collected by any governor’s campaign at that stage in Florida’s election cycle, which certainly indicates a strong financial backing.

Donald is vying to take over the position from outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, who is unable to run again due to term limits. His campaign has garnered endorsements from notable figures, including former President Donald Trump, Sarah Huckabee Sanders—who was the first sitting governor to support him—along with Trump Jr., Elon Musk, and several others like Rick Scott and Phil Mickelson.

Additionally, the campaign claims to have the backing of a majority of Florida’s sheriffs, 17 members of the state’s congressional delegation, and about 75% of the House Republican caucus in Florida.

In terms of public support, recent polling shows Donald is leading among Republican candidates. A February poll conducted by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Institute indicated that if Casey DeSantis were to run, Donald would still be ahead with 28% support compared to her 24%. Without her in the race, Donald’s support could rise to 31%. Interestingly, when Republican voters were informed of Trump’s endorsement of Donald, his approval rating jumped to 47%, while DeSantis’ fell to 12%.

Ryan Smith, the chief strategist for the campaign, emphasized that Donald’s focus is on defeating the Democratic Party in the upcoming November election. He characterized Donald as an “America First conservative” and stated that as governor, he would work to lower living costs, protect communities from illegal immigration, and combat extreme activities, asserting that Democratic policies will not be tolerated in Florida.