# Florida GOP Governor Race: Donalds Leads, $100M Raised > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/trump-endorsed-republican-candidates > Updated: 2026-08-02T23:12:12.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 11. Former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds in May 2026 cemented the Florida Republican governor race around the Naples congressman. Following the endorsement, Donalds’ campaign reported a $2.4 million haul that included a $1 million gift from U‑Line CEO Richard Uihlein and a $7.5 million contribution from TikTok‑investor Jeff Yass. By late June, the candidate’s cash on hand topped $66 million, far outpacing rivals such as James Fishback, Jay Collins and former Speaker Paul Renner. July 1 reporting showed Donalds had raised over $90 million, spent $20 million on a statewide TV and digital blitz, and was polling at roughly 54 % in a four‑way primary. The campaign’s spending pace continued to outstrip fundraising, with a single week’s out‑of‑pocket cost of $6.95 million reported on July 16. Donald’s platform expanded to include a “Healthy Florida Healthy Families” school‑nutrition plan unveiled on July 24 after a record $10 million individual donation from billionaire Ken Griffin, bringing total receipts to about $95 million. The same day the campaign faced a civil‑assault lawsuit alleging a 2022 grocery‑store threat, which Donalds dismissed as a political stunt. The candidate earned a “Highly Qualified” rating from the Christian Family Coalition in mid‑July and publicly challenged Democratic nominee David Jolly to three televised debates in late July. In early August, Donalds announced a full rewrite of Florida’s property‑tax system and a policy to curb the use of license‑plate‑reader cameras, backed by endorsements from dozens of sheriffs and police chiefs. The race remains headed into the Aug. 18 GOP primary with Donalds holding a decisive financial and polling advantage. ## Claims - Byron Donalds has raised over $100 million for his campaign, including a $10 million donation from billionaire Ken Griffin. (single source) - Donald plans a full rewrite of Florida's property tax system next year regardless of Amendment 3's outcome. (single source) - Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption on non‑school taxes to $150,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2028, tied to the CPI and requiring 60% voter support. (single source) - The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will convene in January for the first time in two decades. (single source) - If Amendment 3 passes, Florida's fiscally constrained counties could lose up to a third of their revenue, amounting to $11.86 billion annually. (single source) - About 100 law‑enforcement agencies in Florida use Flock license‑plate‑reader cameras, with roughly 7,500 LPRs deployed. (single source) - Donald has endorsements from 35 sheriffs and the Florida Police Chiefs Association regarding his stance on Flock cameras. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Byron Donalds pushes property tax reform and police camera policy in Florida governor race Florida GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Byron Donalds, who has raised over $100 million, vows to rewrite the state’s property tax system regardless of Amendment 3 and to set policy limits on Flock license‑plate‑c 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-pushes-property-tax-reform-and-police-camera-policy-in-florida-governor-race ### 2026-07-24: Byron Donalds receives $10 million donation and unveils school nutrition plan Byron Donalds, Florida GOP governor front‑runner, received a $10 million donation from Ken Griffin and launched a school nutrition and water‑testing program to remove ultra‑processed foods and ensure safe water 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-receives-10-million-donation-and-unveils-school-nutrition-plan ### 2026-07-20: Florida GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Byron Donalds Challenges Democrat David Jolly to Three Debates Republican Byron Donalds, running for Florida governor, challenged Democrat David Jolly to three debates, seeking broadcaster proposals; a poll shows Donalds ahead by five points ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-gop-gubernatorial-candidate-byron-donalds-challenges-democrat-david-jolly-to-three-debates ### 2026-07-16: Florida GOP primary intensifies as Jay Collins and Byron Donalds campaign Jay Collins and Byron Donalds lead the Florida GOP gubernatorial primary, with Donalds backed by Trump and Collins denying alleged conflicts with DeSantis staff. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-gop-primary-intensifies-as-jay-collins-and-byron-donalds-campaign ### 2026-07-16: Republican Gubernatorial Primary Spending Outpaces Fundraising in Arizona and Florida Arizona and Florida GOP gubernatorial hopefuls are spending more than they raise, with Arizona candidates nearly emptying their war chests and Florida’s top contender Byron Donalds spending $6.95 M while cash‑r 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/republican-gubernatorial-primary-spending-outpaces-fundraising-in-arizona-and-florida ### 2026-07-13: Byron Donalds Rolls Out $20 Million Ad Blitz and Earns CFC Florida Highly Qualified Governor Rating Byron Donalds has launched a $20 million statewide ad blitz for the 2026 Florida governor race and received the Christian Family Coalition Florida’s Highly Qualified rating for governor. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-rolls-out-20-million-ad-blitz-and-earns-cfc-florida-highly-qualified-governor-rating ### 2026-07-07: Byron Donalds Faces Lawsuit Over 2022 Grocery Store Threat Allegations in Florida GOP Primary Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, GOP gubernatorial frontrunner, is sued by school board member Kelly Mason, who says he threatened to “crush” her in a 2022 grocery‑store altercation; his campaign calls the suit a ho 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-faces-lawsuit-over-2022-grocery-store-threat-allegations-in-florida-gop-primary ### 2026-07-01: Byron Donalds Leads Florida Gubernatorial Primary Race Byron Donalds dominates Florida's gubernatorial primary with record fundraising, strong endorsements and a 54% poll lead. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-leads-florida-gubernatorial-primary-race ### 2026-06-26: Byron Donalds Leads Florida GOP Primary with Fundraising Surge and Senate Criticism Rep. Byron Donalds dominates Florida’s GOP governor primary, criticizing the Senate over the SAVE Act while holding a $66 million cash lead over rivals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-leads-florida-gop-primary-with-fundraising-surge-and-senate-criticism ### 2026-06-16: Byron Donalds Gains Trump Endorsement and $7.5 Million Boost from TikTok Billionaire in Florida Governor Race Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by Trump, has raised over $81 million for his 2026 governor bid, highlighted by a $7.5 million donation from TikTok‑linked billionaire Jeff Yass. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byron-donalds-gains-trump-endorsement-and-75-million-boost-from-tiktok-billionaire-in-florida-govern ### 2026-05-28: Donald Trump endorses GOP candidates in Texas and Florida races Donald Trump endorsed Texas Governor candidate Ken Paxton and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, boosting their GOP campaigns amid legal and personal controversies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-endorses-gop-candidates-in-texas-and-florida-races --- Cite as: Florida GOP Governor Race: Donalds Leads, $100M Raised. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/trump-endorsed-republican-candidates