Byron Donalds Faces Lawsuit Over 2022 Grocery Store Threat Allegations in Florida GOP Primary

A civil assault lawsuit has been filed in Collier County Circuit Court by school board member Kelly Mason against Rep. Byron Donalds, the front‑runner for the Republican nomination for Florida governor. Mason alleges that Donalds confronted her in August 2022 at the Naples grocery store Seed to Table, verbally berated her and threatened to “crush” or “finish” her while her husband and children watched. The complaint cites emotional distress, mental anguish and other damages.

The filing comes less than six weeks before the August 18 Republican primary. Donalds’ campaign has called the suit “baseless, politically motivated” and a “shameful publicity stunt” designed to damage his candidacy. Campaign communications director Gates McGavick reiterated the claim, noting Donalds leads polls by a large margin.

The lawsuit adds to a series of intra‑party tensions in the Florida GOP race, which has featured public disputes, legal challenges over candidate residency and accusations among multiple contenders. While Donalds remains the clear front‑runner, the case may draw additional scrutiny to his conduct ahead of the primary.