U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for Florida governor on Tuesday, setting up a November general election against Democrat David Jolly, the former congressman who secured his party's nod.
Donalds, 47, campaigned on fiscal conservatism and limited government. "An affordable Florida starts with a limited government that respects hard-working taxpayers who fund it," he said.
He pledged to expand the "Department of Government Efficiency" initiative that Governor Ron DeSantis launched in Florida. "We are going to DOGE all local governments and all state agencies," Donalds said, promising a broad application of the efficiency program across the state's governmental structure.
Donalds is vying to succeed DeSantis, who is term-limited after two terms. If elected, he would become Florida's first Black governor. President Trump endorsed him during the primary.
Other Republican candidates Jay Collins and James Fishback did not advance. Donalds announced his entry into the race in February.
