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Tampa, FL - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is backing Republican candidates seeking statewide office as the party prepares for the November general election.
DeSantis endorsed Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds and other members of the GOP ticket during a Republican Party of Florida Leadership Forum in Tampa.
The event marked DeSantis and Donalds’ first major joint political appearance since the August 18th primary.
They appeared with Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
Donalds, a congressman representing Southwest Florida, won the Republican nomination after defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, businessman James Fishback and several other candidates.
He will face Democratic nominee David Jolly in the Nov. 3 general election.
The winner will replace DeSantis, who cannot seek a third consecutive term under the Florida Constitution.
Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor if elected.
DeSantis did not endorse anyone during the Republican primary, including Collins, whom he appointed lieutenant governor in 2025.
DeSantis and Donalds had previously disagreed after Donalds endorsed Donald Trump instead of the governor during the 2024 presidential primary.
Donalds once helped DeSantis prepare for debates during his successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
Their appearance in Tampa represented an effort to unite Republicans behind the party’s statewide nominees following the primary.
Uthmeier is running against Democrat José Javier Rodríguez.
Ingoglia faces Democratic nominee Annette Taddeo, while Simpson is seeking another term against Democrat Joey Mendoza Atkins.
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, another Republican on the statewide ticket, is running against Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon.