Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday endorsed a Republican statewide slate for the upcoming election, including U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor. The endorsement was announced at the Florida GOP Leadership Forum in Tampa, where DeSantis also backed Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
DeSantis, who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, stated at the event: “I’m endorsing the slate here tonight ... because I know it’s important for the state of Florida.” He emphasized voter turnout, urging Floridians to “storm the polls” and support Republican candidates.
Donalds, who secured the GOP gubernatorial nomination in August with President Donald Trump’s backing, responded to the endorsement on social media. “Tonight I was honored to earn Governor @RonDeSantis’s endorsement,” he wrote. “Governor DeSantis has done incredible work to make Florida the envy of America. As your next Governor, I will build on his success and defend the Florida Dream.”
The general election will feature Donalds facing Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly, a former U.S. representative who previously served as a Republican. Under the Florida Constitution, DeSantis is ineligible to run for a third consecutive term due to term limits.
DeSantis appointed Ingoglia as CFO in July 2025 and Uthmeier as attorney general last year. The slate of candidates was presented during the forum, highlighting their alignment with DeSantis’ political priorities. DeSantis had previously withheld an endorsement in the primary, though Donalds was widely seen as the favored successor. The two had a strained relationship earlier in the race, with reports suggesting DeSantis’ team discouraged support for Donalds, but their alliance appears to have strengthened since.