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Byron Donalds FL-19

Byron Donalds 1

Summary

Current Position: US Representative of FL District 19 since 2021
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Delegate from 2016 – 2020
District:   cities of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island, as well as unincorporated areas in Lee and Collier counties. 
Upcoming Election:

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Humbled by the outpouring of support from thousands of Conservatives who want to join the fight to protect America from radical policies being pushed by the Left. We’re just getting started!

Rep. Donalds Rips Chris Cuomo on COVID-19 Vaccine Freedom

OnAir Post: Byron Donalds FL-19

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About

Source: Government page

Byron DonaldsByron Donalds grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and he is also the proud son of a hardworking and loving single mother. His mother dedicated her time instilling in him that greatness requires sacrifice, which drives him as a devoted family man and United States Congressman.

Byron is a graduate of Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance and marketing. Byron’s career led him to Southwest Florida, where he worked in the banking, finance, and insurance industries. Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016, Byron represented Hendry County and east Collier County in the State Capitol. During his tenure in the Florida House, Byron served as the PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee Chair during the 2018-2019 Legislative Session and served as the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee’s Chairman 2019-2020 Legislative Session. While serving in the Florida House, primarily focused on elder affairs, criminal justice reform, and ensuring that each child has access to a world-class education.

In January of 2020, Byron Donalds announced his congressional campaign live on Fox & Friends. Byron won the Republican nomination for Florida’s 19th Congressional District in August 2020, in a 9-way primary, filled with two self-funders and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. During the general election, Byron received the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump, who called Byron a “rising star” and “a phenomenal Congressman.” Byron secured his victory in the general election over a progressive leftist, with over sixty-two percent of the vote. He has been a featured guest on multiple media outlets such as Fox News, Newsmax, BBC, the Washington Post, and more. Byron is committed to serving and giving back to the community that gave him so much. He has served Southwest Florida in many ways, including previously serving on the Board of Trustees for Florida Southwestern State College after being appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott. Byron continues to volunteer in his church as a youth leader and a mentor. He also enjoys volunteering as a coach in youth football and basketball leagues.

Congressman Byron Donalds lives in Naples, Florida, with his wife, Erika, and their three sons: Damon, Darin, and Mason. Byron has spent his entire adult life serving others, whether it be through volunteering, business, or leadership. He is committed to representing Florida’s 19th Congressional District’s conservative values in Washington DC to ensure a stronger Florida and a stronger nation.

Personal

Full Name: Byron Donalds

Gender: Male

Family: Wife: Erika; 3 Children: Damon, Darin, Mason

Birth Date: 10/28/1978

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY

Home City: Naples, FL

Religion: Christian

Source: Vote Smart

Education

BS, Finance/Marketing, Florida State University, 1999-2002, Grade Point Average of 3.2

Attended, Florida A&M University, 1996-1999

Political Experience

Representative, United States House of Representatives, Florida, District 19, 2021-present

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Florida, District 19, 2022

Representative, Florida State House of Representatives, District 80, 2016-2020

Candidate, Florida State House of Representatives, District 80, 2016, 2018

Professional Experience

Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors, 2015-present

Portfolio Manager, CMG Surety, Limited Liability Company, 2007-2015

Assistant Vice President, Credit Manager, TIB Bank, 2006-2007

Commercial Credit Manager, TIB Bank, 2003-2007

Senior Credit Analyst, TIB Bank, 2004-2005

Credit Analyst, TIB Bank, 2003-2004

Offices

Washington, DC Office523 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2536Collier County Office3299 Tamiami Trail East
Suite 105
Naples, FL 34112
(239) 252-6225

Lee County Office1039 SE 9th Ave
Suite 308
Cape Coral, FL 33990
(239) 599-6033

Contact

Email: Government

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Source: Government page

Florida’s 19th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in Southwest Florida. It includes the cities of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island, as well as unincorporated areas in Lee and Collier counties. It has been represented by Republican Byron Donalds since 2021.

The 19th district was created as a result of the redistricting cycle after the 1980 census. From then until 1993, it was a Miami-based district; much of its territory is now the 25th district. From 1993 to 2013, it covered parts of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach; this area is now the 23rd district. The current 19th covers most of the territory that was the 14th district from 1993 to 2013.

District

Source: Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Florida’s 19th congressional district since 2021. His congressional district includes much of Southwest Florida. Previously, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. A member of the Republican Party, Donalds is the Republican nominee in the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election.

Born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Donalds attended Florida A&M University before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University in 2002. Prior to entering politics, Donalds worked in the finance, insurance, and banking industries. Situated in the conservative or MAGA wing of the Republican Party, Donalds was a member of the Tea Party movement.

Donalds was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016, representing the 80th district for two terms before being elected to Congress in 2020. He was re-elected in 2022 and 2024. During his second term, he was a nominee for Speaker of the House during the January 2023 and October 2023 elections. Donalds is the Republican nominee for governor of Florida in 2026.

Early life and education

Byron Lowell Donalds was born and raised in the Crown Heights neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn.[1][2] One of three children, he was raised by his single mother.[1] In 1996, Donalds graduated from Nazareth Regional High School in East Flatbush.[3] Donalds is of Jamaican and Panamanian heritage.[4][5]

In 1997, Donalds was charged with marijuana possession, but the charges were dropped as part of a pre-trial diversion program, and he was fined $150 (equivalent to $300 in 2025).[6][7] In 2000, he pleaded no contest to a felony theft charge for allegedly attempting to defraud a bank (by depositing a bad check), but his record was later sealed and expunged.[6][7][8][9] According to an attorney consulted by the fact-checking site PolitiFact, “Donalds would not have been able to get his record expunged if the state considered him a convicted felon.”[10]

Donalds attended Florida A&M University, subsequently transferring to Florida State University. In 2002, he graduated from FSU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance and marketing.[1][11][12]

Career

Donalds and President Donald Trump in 2019 with a former inmate freed by the First Step Act

Donalds began his professional career in 2003 as a credit analyst at TIB Bank. He was promoted to senior credit analyst in 2004, and later promoted to commercial credit manager, assistant vice president, and credit manager.[13] Donalds left TIB Bank in 2007 and took a position as a portfolio manager at CMG Surety LLC. In 2015, he joined Wells Fargo Advisors as a Financial Advisor.[14]

In 2010, Donalds left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party.[15] After becoming involved in the Tea Party movement, he was encouraged to run for office.[1] Over time, he became part of the MAGA wing of the Republican Party.[16][17][18][19]

In 2012, Donalds was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 19th congressional district. He finished fifth of six candidates.[20] In 2014, he was reported as a likely candidate for the U.S. House in Florida’s 19th congressional district after Trey Radel resigned, but did not run.[20]

Donalds was elected to the Florida House of Representatives for District 80 in 2016. During his Florida House tenure, he chaired the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.[21]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

Donalds being ceremonially sworn in by House minority leader Kevin McCarthy

Donalds was the Republican nominee for Florida’s 19th congressional district in the 2020 election, running to succeed retiring incumbent Francis Rooney.[22][23][24] He won a crowded nine-way Republican primary by 770 votes over state representative Dane Eagle, finishing just over the threshold to avoid a recount.[25][26] Republicans have a 550,000-voter advantage over Democrats in registration, and Florida Gulf Coast University professor Peter Bergerson noted that the Republican primary is almost always the real contest for most races in the area.[25][27] In August 2020, anonymous text messages were sent out to constituents in the 19th district claiming that Donalds was dropping out of the race. Donalds later clarified via tweet that he was not dropping out and called the messages “illegal”.[28][29]

During his campaign, Donalds described himself as a “Trump supporting, gun owning, liberty loving, pro-life, politically incorrect Black man.”[30] He stated his support for economic freedom, clean water, nuclear power and decreased government involvement in healthcare. He opposed the Green New Deal.[1]

In the November general election, Donalds defeated Democratic nominee Cindy Banyai. Donalds said he would focus on policy related to water quality in Southwest Florida.[31][32][33] Upon his swearing-in on January 3, 2021, Donalds became the sixth person to represent this district since its creation in 1983 (it had been the 13th District from 1983 to 1993, the 14th from 1993 to 2013, and has been the 19th since 2013).

Tenure in Congress

Donalds with Miami-Dade County sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, 2025

In late 2020, Donalds was identified as a participant in the “Freedom Force”, a group of incoming House Republicans who “say they’re fighting against socialism in America”.[34][35][36] The following year Donalds was blocked from joining the Congressional Black Caucus.[37][38]

Donalds with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary Sean Duffy, 2025

2020 election

In January 2021, Donalds voted to object to the certification of electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania in the 2020 presidential election.[39] Donalds has since claimed that Joe Biden was not the legitimate president of the United States, a claim he repeated in a Vanity Fair interview in July 2023.[40]

January 2023 Speaker of the House election

On January 3, 2023, Donalds received one vote in the 118th Congress‘s first election for Speaker of the House, from Chip Roy.[41] Donalds voted for Kevin McCarthy on the first two ballots, then for Jim Jordan on the third.[42] On January 4, on the fourth ballot, Roy nominated Donalds for Speaker, and he received 20 votes.[41] This marked the first time two Black lawmakers were nominated for Speaker, the other being Democratic nominee Hakeem Jeffries.[43] He was nominated by Lauren Boebert on the fifth ballot, and again received 20 votes.[44] He was sequentially nominated by Scott Perry,[45] Dan Bishop, Andy Biggs, Matt Rosendale, and Anna Paulina Luna on the sixth to tenth ballots. He was not nominated on the 11th ballot,[46] but still received 12 votes. Donalds switched[47] his vote back to McCarthy after House Republican leadership made many concessions to House Freedom Caucus members.

Donalds with Secretary Scott Bessent

Subcommittee hearing on Hurricane Ian

On August 10, 2023, Donalds was one of the main questioners during the United States House Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce‘s televised investigative hearing on the federal government’s response to and overall recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Questions from Donalds led to Congress discovering various government agencies had “regulatory hurdles, miscommunication, and burdensome administrative requirements”, which made recovery efforts difficult and that FEMA did not “tap into the expertise on the local level and pre-certify people from the city”.[48][49][50][51]

October 2023 candidacy for Speaker

Donalds was a candidate for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in the October 2023 election.[52][53]

Donalds speaking in the Oval Office during a ceremony rewarding the newly-created “Medal of Sacrifice” to three fallen deputies of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, May 2025

Comments on Jim Crow era

In a political outreach event in June 2024, Donalds opined as follows about the Jim Crow era:[54][55]

You see, during Jim Crow, the black family was together. During Jim Crow, more black people were not just conservative, black people have always been conservative-minded, but more black people voted conservatively. And then, HEW, Lyndon Johnson, and then you go down that road, and now we are where we are. What’s happened in America the last ten years, and I say it because it’s my contemporaries…you’re starting to see more black people be married in homes raising kids.

After some backlash against those remarks, Donalds denied “that Black people were doing better under Jim Crow” or that “Jim Crow is great”, and also denied having been inaccurate when he said that black marriage rates were relatively high during that era.[56]

In February of 2024, Donald Trump said that Donalds was among those he was considering as a running mate, and media outlets subsequently listed him as a potential vice-presidential nominee.[57][58]

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress, Donalds has been assigned on Committee on Financial Services, which includes Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence and Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, as well as Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which includes Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs.[59] He has Caucus memberships of Congressional Blockchain Caucus,[60] Freedom Caucus,[61], the Sharia-Free America Caucus[62] and the Republican Study Committee.[63]

CLC stock trades complaint

On September 5, 2024, the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed an ethics complaint accusing Donalds of violating the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act by failing to disclose over 100 stock trades, totaling up to $1.6 million, made between 2022 and 2023.[64][65]

Donalds with Senator Ashley Moody and NASA chief of staff Brian Hughes, 2025
Donalds with Senator Rick Scott, 2025

2026 Florida gubernatorial campaign

In February 2025, Donalds announced his candidacy for Governor of Florida in the 2026 election. Days earlier, Trump had posted on Truth Social that Donalds would have his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”[66][67] If elected, Donalds would be Florida’s first African-American governor.

Political positions

Agriculture

In March 2024, Donalds was one of ten House Republicans who signed a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act or similar language in the 2024 farm bill.[68] The EATS Act would have preempted state and local laws regulating agricultural products sold across state lines, including animal welfare laws like California’s Proposition 12.[69]

Education

Donalds is a supporter of charter schools and school voucher programs. In 2017, Donalds sponsored legislation that allocated millions of dollars of Florida state funding towards management fees for charter school companies.[70] Donalds’ wife, Erika, operates OptimaEd, a business operating multiple charter schools in Florida. A financial audit of OptimaEd’s budget from 2020-2023 found that Optima schools had funneled taxpayer dollars to companies in which Erika Donalds owned a stake. A planned Optima school in Fort Myers, Florida, the Optima Classical Academy, enrolled 279 students for the 2024 school year, but later announced they would not be opening. Three charter schools operated by OptimaEd later cancelled their contract with the company following complaints the company was putting too little money into their schools. During his tenure in the Florida State Legislature, Donalds co-sponsored a bill which allowed charter schools to collect additional funding via tax initiatives. Donalds additionally established a state school voucher program that allowed for students to “get a biblical worldview education.” Donalds’ support for charter schools in the State Legislature overlapped with the advocacy of his wife.[71][72]

Byron and Erika Donalds were founding members of Florida Citizens Alliance, an organization that has sought to remove books from schools it claims indoctrinates students. The Donalds’ are also affiliated with Moms for Liberty, which has also advocated for book removals.[71] In 2017, Donalds introduced legislation that made it easier for Florida residents to challenge school library books and textbooks that were allegedly inappropriate.[73]

Environment

Donalds does not believe that climate change is caused by humans, saying that “the science is not settled on that”.[74][75] Donalds blamed European insurance companies for inflating insurance costs for homeowners in Florida by factoring climate change into their risk analysis for Florida properties. Donalds suggested that climate change risk should not matter in assessing insurance costs in Florida.[76]

Foreign policy

In 2023, The Hill characterized Donalds as “part of a Republican minority wing that has consistently opposed Ukraine funding.” Donalds opposed U.S. funding to defend Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian war, citing the U.S. federal deficit as justification. “To be blunt, we’re running a $2 trillion deficit. Any money we give to Ukraine, we’re borrowing from our future.” Donalds said.[77] Donalds supports U.S. funding for Israel in the Gaza War, stating “We should stand behind Israel 100%.”[78][79] Donalds supported the Trump administration starting the 2026 Iran War. He predicted a “succinct” resolution to the conflict, stating “We don’t do six-year engagements. We go over with our men and women, the best military in the world. We blow up all your stuff. And then we go home.”[80] In July 2026, Donalds defended Trump administration’s conduct in Iran, stating that the United States could not let Iran obtain a nuclear weapon; and that Trump would be “derelict in his duty” if he acted otherwise.[81] In an interview with Meet the Press in April 2026, Donalds said he supports “full-scale regime change” in Cuba.[82]

Immigration

In 2023, Donalds introduced the Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act, which would require the collection of fingerprints, facial images, and iris scan for all travelers to the United States. The legislation did not advance past committee. Donalds reintroduced the legislation in 2026 as H.R. 8371.[83][84]

On May 5, 2025, Donalds appeared on Meet the Press with Kristen Welker and stated, “When it comes to due process, that is a privilege reserved for American citizens.”[85]

Donalds opposes the “current interpretation” of birthright citizenship in the United States. He has said that birthright citizenship “has been abused beyond recognition.” When the Supreme Court of the United States invalidated President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara, Donalds called the ruling “a terrible decision.”[86][87]

Islam

In January 2026, Donalds was named a founding member of the Sharia-Free America Caucus in Congress, which seeks to ban Sharia law. He said, “Sharia has no place in America. We will not surrender our freedoms.”[88] The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil rights organization, named Donalds and other House members in a statement designating the Sharia Free America Caucus an anti-Muslim hate group and saying the caucus’s agenda “would effectively ban the practice of the world’s second largest religion in the United States.”[89]

LGBTQ rights

In 2020, Donalds, along with six other Republicans in the Florida State Legislature, introduced several anti-LGBTQ bills that would repeal local ordinances that protect LGBTQ employees, legalize conversion therapy, and imprison doctors who provide transition-related medical care to minors.[90]

In 2021, Donalds spoke at an event hosted by the Truth and Liberty Coalition, which has described homosexuality as “Satan’s work”. The organization was honoring Donalds’ support for charter schools. At a Conservative Political Action Conference event, Donalds described heterosexual relationships as “the natural order that keeps society progressing.”[71]

Veterans

Donalds voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service.[91]

Electoral history

2012

[92]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanTrey Radel 22,304 30.0
RepublicanChauncey Porter Goss16,00521.5
RepublicanPaige Kreegel13,16717.7
RepublicanGary Aubuchon11,49815.5
RepublicanByron Donalds10,38914.0
RepublicanJoe Davidow1,0281.4
Total votes74,391 100.0

2016

[93]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds 9,115 64.4%
RepublicanJoe Davidow5,04135.6%
Total votes14,156 100.0
[94]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds 51,031 100.0%
IndependentAnthony Joseph Cetrangelo (write-in)70.0%
Total votes51,038 100.0

2018

[94]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds (incumbent) 37,881 62.1%
DemocraticJennifer Boddicker22,20736.4%
IndependentDustin Alexander Lapolla9311.5%
Total votes61,019 100.0

2020

[95]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds 23,492 22.6%
RepublicanDane Eagle22,71521.9%
RepublicanCasey Askar20,77420.0%
RepublicanWilliam Figlesthaler19,07518.3%
RepublicanRandy Henderson7,8587.6%
RepublicanChristy McLaughlin4,2454.1%
RepublicanDan Severson3,1973.1%
RepublicanDarren Aquino1,4661.4%
RepublicanDaniel Kowal1,1351.1%
Total votes103,957 100.0%
[96]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds 272,440 61.27%
DemocraticCindy Banyai172,14638.72%
IndependentPatrick Post (write-in)30.01%
Total votes444,589 100.0

2022

2022 Florida’s 19th congressional district Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds (incumbent) 76,192 83.7
RepublicanJim Huff14,79516.3
Total votes90,987 100.0
2022 Florida’s 19th congressional district general election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds (incumbent) 213,035 68.01%
DemocraticCindy Banyai100,22631.99%
IndependentPatrick Post (write-in)130%
Total votes313,274 100.0%

2024

[97]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds (incumbent) 275,708 66.32
DemocraticKari Lerner140,03833.68
Total votes415,746 100.00
Republican hold

2026

[98]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanByron Donalds 810,552 47.8
RepublicanJay Collins426,69625.2
RepublicanJames Fishback177,66010.5
RepublicanPaul Renner144,9508.5
RepublicanBobby Williams69,0264.1
RepublicanRachel Rodriguez27,6021.6
RepublicanJim Holcomb13,1720.8
RepublicanJames Walker Shaw7,8780.5
RepublicanArthur Joseph McCaffrey7,0390.4
RepublicanCaneste Succe6,2660.4
RepublicanDaniel Nokovich5,1880.3
Total votes1,696,029 100.0

Personal life

Byron Donalds married Bisa Hall on June 15, 1999. The purpose of the marriage was to allow Hall, his ex-girlfriend at the time, to qualify for in-state tuition based on Byron’s Florida residency. According to Hall, the marriage was not a romantic relationship and she and Donalds did not live together as a married couple.[99] They divorced in 2002.[100][101]

Donalds met and started dating his future wife, Erika Lees, in the fall of 1999 at Florida State University. Donalds married Lees on March 15, 2003. They have three sons and live in Naples, Florida.[102] Donalds is a Born again Christian. Donalds says he became born again after communicating with God at age 21 while working at Cracker Barrel.[103]

Assault allegation

In August 2022, Donalds and Kelly Mason (also referred to as Kelly Lichter), a member of the Collier County School Board, were recorded in a heated exchange,[104] while inside of a Naples grocery store.[105] Footage of the incident was published online by NBC-2; while much of the video is inaudible, Donalds can be heard yelling at Mason, “You want to end it? Stop the lawsuits, Kelly. Stop that. How about that?” At the time, Mason told media outlets that Donalds was “threatening me, saying he is going to crush me”.[104]

In July 2026, Mason filed a second civil lawsuit against Donalds. In a statement, Mason said that in 2022, Donalds “assaulted me. He must answer for his crimes”.[106] Mason also stated that she had been intimidated by Donalds and his wife Erika, a former business partner of Mason, into dropping a previous lawsuit.[107] In response, Donalds denied the allegations, and accused the second lawsuit of being a “politically motivated attack”.[106]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Williams, Amy Bennett (September 25, 2020). “‘Almost an oxymoron’: Rising star Byron Donalds is a Black conservative aiming for national office”. Fort Myers News-Press. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ Akin, Stephanie (August 19, 2020). “Byron Donalds leading in Florida GOP primary, raising party’s diversity hopes”. Roll Call. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  3. ↑ “Nazareth Alumni Byron Donalds ’96 Elected Florida State Representative”. Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ Donalds, Byron (October 25, 2021). “RULE 11: HAVE A VISION”. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  5. ↑ McLeod, Sheri (March 10, 2025). “Jamaican-American Rep. Byron Donalds announces bid for Florida governor”. Caribbean National Weekly. Archived from the original on September 14, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Sarkissian, Arek (August 5, 2016). “Lawyer, banker compete in Collier, Hendry House race”. Naples Daily News. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024. Donalds … faced a marijuana possession charge in Leon County in 1997, but he was given pre-trial diversion and he paid a $150 fine, court records show.
  7. 1 2 Wright, Warren (April 28, 2014). “Tea Party star answers to charges of a criminal past”. Fox 4 Now. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024 – via YouTube. He claims he was arrested for possession of pot, not distribution, and the second offense was for theft, not taking a bribe.
  8. ↑ Bridges, C. (January 4, 2023). “One of the surprise nominees for Speaker of the House is a Florida rep. Who is Byron Donalds?”. Naples Daily News. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024. When Donalds was 18, after a party at his apartment, he was arrested for possession of marijuana. Two years later, a female acquaintance convinced him he could make a thousand dollars by depositing a bad check.
  9. ↑ Scott, Eugene (January 4, 2023). “Who is Byron Donalds? The latest Republican nominee for House speaker”. The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ Sherman, Amy (August 6, 2020). “Florida GOP candidate’s ad misleads about rival’s criminal history”. PolitiFact. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  11. ↑ Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (August 4, 2016). “Meet Byron Donalds, Republican running in House District 80”. Florida Politics. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  12. ↑ “Biography | U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds”. donalds.house.gov. Archived from the original on August 20, 2026. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ “Meet Byron”. Byron Donalds for Congress. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ “Contact Byron Donalds | Contact My Politician”. www.contactmypolitician.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  15. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (August 11, 2020). “Byron Donalds issues cease-and-desist letter to Casey Askar campaign”. Florida Politics. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ Broadwater, Luke (October 24, 2023). “House Speaker Election: Third Republican Nominee for Speaker Is Out”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024. favorites of the party’s right wing.
  17. ↑ Bunn, Curtis (January 5, 2023). “Who is Byron Donalds? Rebel Republicans rally around the Florida congressman to defeat McCarthy”. NBC News. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024. conservative Republican
  18. ↑ Fineout, Gary (August 27, 2023). “DeSantis to GOP Rep. Donalds: Whose side are you on?”. Politico. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024. DeSantis lumped the conservative Black Republican…
  19. ↑ “Byron Donalds pitches himself as Trump’s gov pick, DeSantis extension in kickoff rally”. POLITICO. March 28, 2025. Archived from the original on July 21, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  20. 1 2 “Byron Donalds decides not to run for Congress”. Naples News. February 11, 2014. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  21. ↑ “Republican Byron Donalds wins District-19 Congressional seat”. NBC2. Associated Press. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  22. ↑ Conradis, Brandon (November 3, 2020). “Republican Byron Donalds wins House race in Florida”. The Hill. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  23. ↑ “Byron Donalds – 2018 – 2020 ( Speaker Oliva ) | Florida House of Representatives”. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  24. ↑ “Black-American Members by Congress, 1870–Present”. U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  25. 1 2 Bennett Williams, Amy (August 19, 2020). “Byron Donalds wins Republican primary election for U.S. Congressional District 19, will face Democrat Cindy Banyai”. The News-Press. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  26. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (January 6, 2020). “Byron Donalds announces bid for Francis Rooney’s congressional seat”. Florida Politics. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  27. ↑ “Florida GOP voter edge continues to expand”. CBS News. July 17, 2023. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  28. ↑ Marquardt, Alex; Murphy, Paul P. (August 18, 2020). “Fake texts and YouTube video spread disinformation about Republican primary candidate on election day”. CNN. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  29. ↑ “Fake text claims Byron Donalds dropped out of Congressional race, he calls it illegal”. NBC2 News. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  30. ↑ Foran, Clare; Pathe, Simone (August 18, 2020). “4 things to watch in Tuesday’s primaries in Florida and Wyoming”. CNN. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  31. ↑ Williams, Amy Bennett (November 3, 2020). “‘Blessed and highly favored’ Byron Donalds wins election for U.S. Congressional District 19, pledges water quality No. 1 priority”. Naples News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  32. ↑ Sarkissian, Arek (August 30, 2016). “Donalds, Rommel win state House seats”. Naples News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  33. ↑ “Florida House of Representatives – Byron Donalds – 2016-2018”. Myfloridahouse.gov. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  34. ↑ Jankowicz, Mia (November 30, 2020). “A group of incoming GOP House members, calling themselves the ‘Freedom Force,’ are trying to counter Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s ‘Squad’“. Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  35. ↑ Parke, Caleb (December 1, 2020). “GOP Congresswoman-elect on forming ‘Freedom Force’: Left is ‘totally out of line’ with mainstream”. Fox News. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  36. ↑ Noor, Poppy (November 30, 2020). “The ‘Freedom Force’: Republican group takes on the Squad and ‘evil’ socialism”. The Guardian. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  37. ↑ Goba, Kadia (June 9, 2021). “The Congressional Black Caucus Is Blocking A Black Republican From Joining The Group”. BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  38. ↑ Lonas, Lexi (June 9, 2021). “Congressional Black Caucus blocking Black House Republican from joining group”. The Hill. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  39. ↑ Skoneki, Mark (January 7, 2021). “Florida Sen. Rick Scott votes yes on objection to Biden’s presidency; Rubio votes no”. The Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  40. ↑ Manriquez, Pablo (July 13, 2023). “Ron DeSantis May Have a Successor in the Wings: Byron Donalds”. Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  41. 1 2 Choi, Matthew (January 3, 2023). “U.S. Rep. Chip Roy emerges as key GOP agitator in U.S. House speaker fight”. The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  42. ↑ Mueller, Julia (January 3, 2023). “20th GOP opponent to McCarthy explains his vote for Jordan”. The Hill. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  43. ↑ “For First Time In History, Two Black Lawmakers Nominated As House Speaker | The Michigan Chronicle”. January 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  44. ↑ “Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert nominates Rep. Byron Donalds for House Speaker”. CBS News. Associated Press. January 4, 2023. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  45. ↑ Tamari, Jonathan (January 4, 2023). “‘Washington is broken’: Scott Perry nominated a GOP alternative for House speaker”. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  46. ↑ Sangal, Aditi; Vogt, Adrienne; Hayes, Mike; Chowdhury, Maureen; Hammond, Elise (January 5, 2023). “Live updates: House speaker vote and news”. CNN. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  47. ↑ Bakich, Jackson (January 6, 2023). “BREAKING: Donalds, Paulina Luna Flip, Vote for McCarthy”. The Floridian. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  48. ↑ United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (August 10, 2023). ““Weathering the Storm: Oversight of the Federal Response and Recovery Efforts in Southwestern Florida following Hurricane Ian”“. United States Congress. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  49. ↑ Kelly, Caleigh (August 11, 2023). “Lawmakers grill feds over delays in Hurricane Ian response”. The Hill. Archived from the original on September 2, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  50. ↑ Kruger, Ryan (August 10, 2023). “Congressional subcommittee asks what went wrong with Ian recovery”. WFTX-TV. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  51. ↑ “FEMA Taken to The Woodshed”. Beach Talk Radio News. August 10, 2023. Archived from the original on August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  52. ↑ Perry, Mitch (October 20, 2023). “Florida’s Byron Donalds is now a candidate for U.S. House Speaker”. Florida Phoenix. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  53. ↑ Dolan, Paul (October 20, 2023). “Byron Donalds running for speaker of the House”. WINK News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  54. ↑ Walsh, Sean (June 5, 2024). “Rep. Byron Donalds draws backlash for expressing nostalgia for Jim Crow era during Philly event”. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  55. ↑ Phillip, Abby. “GOP’s Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) Says, Black Family Was Together In Jim Crow Era; Trump Racks Up Major Legal Wins Delaying Georgia And Florida Cases; Trump’s Two Cases On Hold Until Post-Elections; WSJ Report Reveals Biden Showing Signs Of Slipping; Senate Blocks Bill On Right To Contraception Access. Aired 10-11p ET Archived September 8, 2024, at the Wayback Machine”, CNN (5 Jun 2024).
  56. ↑ Richards, Zoë. “Rep. Byron Donalds defends comments about Jim Crow” Archived February 15, 2025, at the Wayback Machine, NBC News (6 Jun 2024).
  57. ↑ Steck, Andrew Kaczynski, Em (March 29, 2024). “Byron Donalds, potential VP pick, once attacked Trump and praised outsourcing, privatizing entitlements | CNN Politics”. CNN. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026. Retrieved November 16, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  58. ↑ “Rep. Byron Donalds weighs in on Trump potential VP ‘short-list’“. baynews9.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  59. ↑ “List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives” (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  60. ↑ “Members”. Congressional Blockchain Caucus. July 13, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  61. ↑ “Byron Donalds says he’ll join House Freedom and Black Congressional Caucuses · The Floridian”. September 18, 2020. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  62. ↑ “Congressman Self and Congressman Roy’s Sharia Free America Caucus Surges in Congress, Adding Twenty-Four Members in Under One Month”. Congresman Keith Self. January 15, 2026. Archived from the original on April 17, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  63. ↑ “Membership”. Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  64. ↑ “Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida Fails to Disclose up to $1.6 Million in Stock Trades — Campaign Legal Center Files Ethics Complaint”. Campaign Legal Center. September 5, 2024. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  65. ↑ Metzger, Bryan. “Rep. Byron Donalds didn’t properly disclose up to $1.6 million in stock trades, violating federal law”. Business Insider. Archived from the original on May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  66. ↑ Leonard, Kimberly; Matat, Stephany (February 25, 2025). “Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by Trump, says he’s running for Florida governor”. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  67. ↑ Lesniewski, Niels (February 25, 2025). “Byron Donalds, with Trump endorsement, announces bid for governor”. Roll Call. Archived from the original on October 7, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  68. ↑ “Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Leads in Letter Fighting Against Foreign Control of the U.S. Pork Industry”. Anna Paulina Luna. March 8, 2024. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  69. ↑ Clayton, Chris (March 8, 2024). “GOP Conservatives Oppose EATS Act Over Chinese Influence in US Pork Industry”. Progressive Farmer. DTN. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  70. ↑ Butler, Kiera (August 10, 2023). ““Betsy DeVos Was a Disaster. I Think Erika Donalds Could Be Worse.”“. Mother Jones. Archived from the original on August 10, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  71. 1 2 3 Berzon, Alexandra; Bender, Michael (May 27, 2024). “Trump Elevates a Conservative ‘Warrior’ on Education”. New York Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  72. ↑ “Florida charter school company run by GOP figure leaves parents frustrated: “They dropped the ball”“. CBS News. December 2, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  73. ↑ “Florida parents may get a bigger say over school textbooks”. Florida Politics. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  74. ↑ So, Kat (December 18, 2025). “Climate Deniers of the 119th Congress and the Second Trump Administration”. Center for American Progress. Archived from the original on July 29, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  75. ↑ “Rep. Byron Donalds: ‘I Don’t Believe in Man-Made Climate Change’“. Fox News. August 30, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  76. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (March 18, 2025). “Byron Donalds questions whether ‘climate change risk’ should matter in reinsurance formula”. Florida Politics. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  77. ↑ Sforza, Lauren (September 19, 2023). “Donalds ahead of Zelensky meetings: ‘There’s no money in the House’ for Ukraine”. The Hill. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  78. ↑ Richards, Zoe; Obregon, Natalie (April 21, 2025). “Rep. Byron Donalds’ town hall turns contentious over questions about DEI and Gaza”. NBC News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  79. ↑ “We need to take care of Israel: Rep. Byron Donalds”. Fox Business. April 18, 2024. Archived from the original on August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  80. ↑ Gancarski, A.J. (March 30, 2026). “Byron Donalds expects ‘succinct’ resolution to Iran conflict”. Florida Politics. Archived from the original on April 7, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  81. ↑ Richards, Zoe; Obregon, Natalie (April 21, 2025). “Rep. Byron Donalds’ town hall turns contentious over questions about DEI and Gaza”. NBC News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  82. ↑ “Byron Donalds says he supports ‘full-scale regime change’ in Cuba: Full interview”. NBC News. April 12, 2026. Archived from the original on April 20, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  83. ↑ “US Congressman Introduces Bill to Mandate Biometric Border Scanning”. ID Tech Wire. April 23, 2026. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  84. ↑ “H.R.8371 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act”. www.congress.gov. April 21, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  85. ↑ “Rep. Byron Donalds: ‘It is not physically possible’ to hire enough judges to process immigrants”. NBC News. May 5, 2025. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  86. ↑ Perry, Mitch (June 30, 2026). “Birthright citizenship ruling by U.S. Supreme Court splits Florida lawmakers”. Florida Phoenix. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  87. ↑ Fishman, Taylor (June 16, 2026). “Byron Donalds outlines Florida vision as governor’s race begins to take shape”. ABC News. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  88. ↑ “Congressman Self and Congressman Roy’s Sharia Free America Caucus Surges in Congress, Adding Twenty-Four Members in Under One Month”. Representative Keith Self. January 15, 2026. Archived from the original on April 17, 2026. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  89. ↑ “Sharia Free America Congressional Caucus Anti-Muslim Extremist Designation” (PDF). Council on American-Islamic Relations. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 27, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  90. ↑ “Florida Republicans submit 4 last-minute anti-LGBTQ bills ahead of 2020 legislative deadline”. ABC News. January 16, 2020. Archived from the original on May 22, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  91. ↑ Derby, Kevin (June 9, 2022). “Marco Rubio, Brian Mast Help Shape Burn Pit Legislation”. Florida Daily. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  92. ↑ “August 14, 2012 Primary Election Official Results”. Florida Department of State – Division of Elections. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  93. ↑ “August 30, 2016 Primary Election Official Results”. Florida Department of State – Division of Elections. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  94. 1 2 “Florida Department of State – Election Results”. results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved November 29, 2021.[dead link]
  95. ↑ “August 18, 2020 Primary Election Official Results”. Florida Department of State – Division of Elections. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  96. ↑ “November 3, 2020 General Election”. Florida Department of State. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  97. ↑ “2024 General Election November 5, 2024 Official Election Results”. Florida Election Watch. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  98. ↑ Florida Governor Primary Results 2026, NBC News (18 Aug 2026).
  99. ↑ Mares, Carissa Jean (March 24, 2025). “Rep. Byron Donalds’ First Marriage Was An Utter Mess, According To His Ex”. Archived from the original on June 5, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  100. ↑ McNair, Sharelle B. (July 11, 2024). “Byron Donalds’ Ex-Wife Exposes Past Life Full Of Lies”. Black Enterprise. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  101. ↑ Norman, Bob (July 9, 2024). “Trump VP hopeful Byron Donalds’ ex-wife shares her story, says what he’s doing is ‘super-dangerous’“. WGCU. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  102. ↑ Ceballos, Ana (January 10, 2010). “Five questions for State Rep. Byron Donalds”. Naples News. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  103. ↑ Gancarski, A.J (January 10, 2010). “Byron Donalds says he was born again at Cracker Barrel”. Florida Politics. Archived from the original on May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  104. 1 2 Ogles, Jacob (September 19, 2022). “Tension boil between Byron Donalds, Collier School Board candidate in public outbursts”. Archived from the original on July 11, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  105. ↑ Saunders, Forrest. “Byron Donalds camp blasts assault lawsuit as ‘politically motivated’“. West Palm Beach TV. Archived from the original on July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  106. 1 2 Russell, Ty (July 9, 2026). “Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate, Byron Donalds, faces lawsuit over alleged 2022 assault”. WFLA.
  107. ↑ Watkins, Tyler; Shaw, Derrick (July 8, 2026). “Collier County School Board member sues Rep. Byron Donalds over grocery store confrontation”. Gulf Coast News.

Florida’s 19th congressional district
2021–present


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Donalds

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