Quick Info
| Profession | Politician and businessman |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 28/10/1978 |
| Age | 47 years |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Latest News about Byron Donalds
Donalds's campaign website was revised to remove most references to President Trump's endorsement, with the campaign saying the new site focuses on policy issues. Donalds said he was not stepping back from the president's agenda.
Donalds announced state Senator Bryan Avila as his running mate at an event in Miami. The pick set up his general election campaign against Democrat David Jolly.
Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for Governor of Florida, outlined his economic plans on NBC's Meet the Press NOW. He proposed tackling high property insurance rates through tort reform and expanded home-hardening programs for older buildings, and defended President Donald Trump's economic and foreign policy record.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Byron Lowell Donalds is an American Republican politician and businessman who has served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since January 3, 2021. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. In 2026 he won the Republican nomination for Governor of Florida and is the party's nominee in the November general election against Democrat David Jolly. |
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| Early Life | Raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, New York, and later lived in Crown Heights. |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Florida State University | Bachelor of Arts in finance and marketing, class of 2002 |
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Personal Life
| Residence | Naples, Florida |
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Relationships & More
| Spouse | Erika Donalds (née Lees) |
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| Marriage Notes | Married Erika Lees in 2003; an earlier marriage ended in divorce |
Family
| Spouse | Erika Donalds |
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| Children |
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| Mother | Single mother who raised him in Brooklyn |
Career
| Early Career | Worked in banking, finance and insurance industries in Southwest Florida, including as a commercial credit officer and portfolio manager |
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| Florida House of Representatives | Represented District 80 (Hendry County and eastern Collier County), 2016-2020; served as PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee Chair (2018-2019) and Insurance & Banking Subcommittee Chairman (2019-2020) |
| U.S. House of Representatives | Representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since 2021; serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the House Financial Services Committee |
| Leadership Bids | Was the leading Republican nominee behind Kevin McCarthy in the 2023 Speaker of the House election |
| Gubernatorial Campaign | Candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of Florida in the 2026 election; won the Republican primary and is the party's nominee for the November 2026 general election |
| Other Notes | Was on the shortlist of candidates to be Donald Trump's running mate in 2024 |
| Running Mate | Selected state Senator Bryan Avila as his running mate in August 2026 |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Served on the Board of Trustees for Florida SouthWestern State College after appointment by then-Governor Rick Scott | |
| 2. Known for advocacy of school choice, parental rights in education and criminal justice reform | |
| 3. Ranked among the most high-profile Black Republican politicians in the United States | |
| 4. In 2026 he publicly acknowledged having sold marijuana as a teenager, not only possessing it |
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