Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) easily captured the Republican nomination for Florida governor Tuesday night, but President Donald Trump was noticeably absent from the congressman’s victory speech despite having endorsed his campaign.
Donalds delivered approximately 20 minutes of remarks to supporters after securing the GOP nomination to succeed term-limited Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Florida Republican thanked God, his campaign supporters and his family while outlining several priorities he intends to pursue if elected governor in November.
Trump, however, went unmentioned.
The omission was notable given the president’s endorsement of Donalds and the congressman’s close political relationship with Trump.
Donalds nevertheless highlighted several policies closely associated with the Trump administration, including provisions contained in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Trump signed into law last year.
“As a member of Congress, I fought for your federal taxes to be cut — no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and the largest tax cut on Social Security in this country’s history,” Donalds told supporters.
“That’s real money back in your pockets, in the pockets of Florida workers and Florida’s retirees,” he continued. “And as your governor, I will continue to fight to make sure you keep more of your hard-earned money.”
Donalds also pledged to “DOGE all local governments and all state agencies” in an effort to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.
The Republican began his victory speech by thanking his wife, Erika, and their three sons, Darin, Damon and Mason.
“Thank you, guys, for standing by my side during the long days and the late nights on the trail,” Donalds said. “I love you guys. I love you.”
While Trump did not receive a mention during the speech, Donalds addressed the president’s support when speaking with reporters afterward.
Donalds said he was grateful for Trump’s endorsement and acknowledged the president’s enormous influence within the Republican Party.
“Obviously, he has the strongest following of anybody in our party,” Donalds said, according to the Associated Press. “You start with that.”
Donalds stressed, however, that Trump’s endorsement alone would not be enough to win the November general election.
“You can’t just sit back and think the president’s endorsement is going to carry you,” he said, adding that he had discussed the issue with Trump and “the president knows this.”
Donalds will now face former Republican Rep. David Jolly in November.
Tuesday’s Florida primaries produced several other notable results.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who had received Trump’s endorsement, lost his Republican primary to former television news anchor Ryan Elijah. Mills has faced a House Ethics Committee investigation involving several allegations, which he has disputed, per the New York Post.
Meanwhile, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) easily defeated a Republican primary challenge from influencer Dan Bilzerian after Bilzerian drew bipartisan condemnation over antisemitic rhetoric used during his campaign.
In Florida’s 19th Congressional District, the seat Donalds is vacating to run for governor, broadcasting executive Jim Schwartzel prevailed in a crowded 10-candidate Republican primary that included former Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins.
Donalds’ victory now moves one of the country’s most closely watched gubernatorial contests into the general election, where he will attempt to keep the Florida governor’s mansion under Republican control.
