<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Gov. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/ron-desantis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ron DeSantis</a> (R-FL) on Tuesday endorsed Rep. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/byron-donalds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Byron Donalds</a> (R-FL) in the race to succeed him, alongside other GOP candidates in the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/midterm-elections/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">midterm elections</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">DeSantis made the announcement at a Florida GOP forum in Tampa, where he was joined on stage by Donalds, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. The outgoing governor endorsed all four candidates.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’m endorsing the slate here tonight, even Blaise Ingoglia, because I know it’s important for the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “Apathy is our enemy, and if we’re not apathetic and we understand we’ve got a job to do, I think things will work out well.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">DeSantis also encouraged voter turnout, urging Floridians to “storm the polls” and vote Republican.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Donalds, who has the support of President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>, expressed his gratitude for DeSantis’s endorsement on social media, stating he was “honored” to receive the governor’s backing.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Governor DeSantis has done incredible work to make Florida the envy of America,” Donalds said. “As your next Governor, I will build on his success and defend the Florida Dream.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">DeSantis had previously refrained from endorsing a candidate in the August primary, although Donalds was seen as the likely winner. In the primary, Donalds faced Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, winning by a margin of approximately 20 points.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Days before the primary, Donalds indicated he anticipated a DeSantis endorsement to follow his securing of the Republican nomination.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The relationship between DeSantis and Donalds has had its ups and downs, particularly after Donalds shifted his support from DeSantis to Trump in the 2024 presidential primary. Reports earlier in the gubernatorial race suggested that DeSantis’s team was directing lobbyists away from the Donalds campaign, though their relationship appears to have improved since then.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With endorsements from both DeSantis and Trump, Donalds is positioned favorably heading into the November election, where he will face former Florida Republican Rep. David Jolly, who is now a Democrat.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite this support, Donalds faces a competitive race against Jolly, who is reportedly performing well among independents in the state, with recent polling showing a narrow 1-point margin between the two candidates. The race is classified as “likely Republican” by Cook Political Report.</p>