Florida gubernatorial candidate and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) on Wednesday responded to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) criticism that the congressman hasn’t been a part of conservative victories in Florida, pointing to his record in the state legislature.
“My record when I was in the state legislature speaks for itself,” Donalds told The Hill. “I even stood up to my own party to protect gun rights in Florida. When I was there, I passed frankly the first in the nation bill around allowing parents to examine instructional materials.”
“I’m very happy with what the governor has done in our state,” he continued. “My plan if I’m successful is to build on top of what he’s done and take our state to another level.”
The comments came after Donalds, who served in Florida’s state House from 2016 to 2020, formally jumped into the race for governor on Tuesday.
DeSantis jabbed Donalds during a press conference in Florida earlier this week.
“The reality is we’ve achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there,” the governor said. “I think people look at it and say you’ve got a guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years. He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning doing that and that’s fine, but OK, then deliver results up there.”
The governor and the congressman fell out during the 2024 Republican presidential primary when Donalds endorsed President Trump over DeSantis. They also had friction over state education guidelines set by DeSantis on African American history in 2023.
DeSantis has touted his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, as someone who could take his record “to the next level.” The governor and first lady are said to be seriously considering a run for the first lady.
The dynamic has led to many to question whether a Trump versus DeSantis proxy war could be emerging Florida’s GOP primary. But Donalds threw cold water on the notion, arguing “it’s too soon for all of that.”
“Let’s see what happens,” he said. “The response from people in my state has been very, very good. I’m very happy with it.”
“I’m not sure how the whole primary is going to shape up,” he added.”
