House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in Florida‘s 2026 gubernatorial race, giving him a major boost in what appears set to be a crowded primary.

Donalds’s campaign has enjoyed a flood of donations since he announced his candidacy in late February, setting him up as a leading contender. Johnson’s endorsement gives him the backing of the most powerful man in Congress.

Recommended Stories

• Hinson introduces bill to codify Trump order protecting 'America's bank account' from waste
• Speaker Johnson's majority gets reinforcements with swearing-in of two Florida Republicans
• House Democrats investigating RFK Jr. over 'reckless' bird flu response

“Byron Donalds is a principled conservative leader who Floridians can trust as their next governor,” Johnson told Politico Playbook. “In Congress, Byron has been tenacious in standing up for Florida and President Trump’s America First agenda. I have no doubt he will bring that same fighting spirit with him as governor.”

Donalds already won the GOP’s most coveted endorsement, President Donald Trump, in late February. Johnson’s endorsement may unite many House Republicans behind their colleague.

DONALDS SURGING IN FUNDRAISING SINCE ANNOUNCING FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL RUN

Donalds’s biggest roadblock is the popular incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has hinted that his wife may be joining the race after he term limits out in 2026. DeSantis criticized Donalds’s announcement in February, saying it was too early, and suggested he wasn’t sufficiently conservative.

A Feb. 26-27 poll of 600 likely Republican primary voters, conducted by the research and strategic consulting firm Fabrizio Lee & Associates, hired by Donalds, showed a close race, with Donalds getting 34% of support and Casey DeSantis getting 30%. However, when voters were informed of Trump’s endorsement, Donalds’s lead surged by 22 points, 45% to 23%.