Rep. Byron Donalds is making significant strides in the race for Florida’s governor in 2026, bolstered by high-profile backing from former President Trump. This endorsement is critical, establishing Donalds as a dominant force in the Republican primary and igniting internal competition within the party. MAGA strategist Alex Bruesewitz doesn’t mince words, expressing confidence in Donalds: he “strongly anticipates a Byron Donalds governorship in the state of Florida.”
Since announcing his campaign in early 2024, Donalds has built a formidable war chest, amassing over $31 million, far outpacing his competition. His team includes seasoned operatives who bring significant political experience, enhancing his chances of success. Donalds is leaning heavily on Gov. Ron DeSantis’s conservative principles, aiming to carry forward a legacy of pro-business policies and reduced regulations. His ambitious goal is to position Florida as “the financial capital of the free world.”
However, Donalds faces unexpected opposition from James Fishback, a 30-year-old finance executive who has previously aligned himself with Trump’s agenda. Fishback, in a notable twist, broke from MAGA traditionalism with his campaign launch in November 2024. He labeled Donalds “a good man” but criticized his leadership potential, claiming he had “done nothing in 8 months to show that he can lead a state.” This statement indicates the growing friction within a party that tends to value loyalty and shared vision.
Fishback’s relationship with the Trump administration became strained when his efforts to secure a position on the Federal Reserve Board were rebuffed. His outreach to Trump and advisers, offering loyalty and support for interest rate cuts, fell flat when they chose a different, more seasoned candidate. This disappointment seems to have fueled Fishback’s candidacy; after the rejection, he turned to social media to target Donalds, heightening the rivalry.
The discontent within Fishback’s campaign deepened as financial issues, including the liquidation of his Azoria ETF funds, arose. This backdrop provided the catalyst for aggressive criticism against Donalds, emphasizing claims of Donalds’s connections with large corporations and labeling certain policies as “America last.” Fishback’s stance against the expanded use of H-1B visas resonates with some voters but could ostracize essential party supporters, illustrating the delicate balance he must strike.
Trump’s advisers are clearly aligned with Donalds, urging Fishback to bow out and avoid unnecessary party conflict, especially as Florida emerges as a crucial stronghold for Republicans. The warning from GOP Rep. Randy Fine and White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair underscores the concern that Fishback’s run could splinter the party at a crucial juncture. Bruesewitz’s description of Fishback’s candidacy as “foolish” highlights the belief within the MAGA camp that Donalds holds the unequivocal inside track.
Despite the pressure, Fishback remains defiant. He established a PAC, FSD (Florida Sovereign Defense), but questions about his credibility linger, especially following litigation from his former employers and denied claims about advising notable figures like Elon Musk. This could tarnish his appeal to cautious GOP donors, adding to the challenges already present in his campaign.
With DeSantis stepping aside, the landscape remains uncertain, but Donalds currently stands as the favored candidate. Other potential contenders have yet to officially declare, leaving Donalds and Fishback prominently in the spotlight. Donalds’s campaign continues to emphasize executive leadership and a unified approach that aligns with Trump’s agenda. Support from Republican lawmakers in Florida indicates strong backing as he seeks to leverage his financial success into tangible political clout.
In contrast, Fishback weaves a narrative grounded in dissent, positioning himself as the lone advocate against complacency in Republican leadership. He taps into themes of cultural populism and anti-globalism, seeking to appeal to voters who are disillusioned with the status quo. His assertion that relying solely on a Trump endorsement is short-sighted encapsulates the rift within the party.
This division highlights a significant tension: Trump’s world values loyalty and conformity, especially in a state where his support has proven formidable. Fishback’s challenge is not just to Donalds, but to the broader MAGA establishment that has solidified control over Republican primaries.
Yet, it remains uncertain if Fishback’s provocations will translate into electoral success. His campaign begins from a challenging position, lacking Trump’s endorsement and hindered by prior controversies. Analysts suggest that Fishback’s PAC struggles against Donalds’s well-funded efforts, and his events have drawn considerably smaller crowds, offering a grim outlook.
The ongoing discord among GOP candidates could jeopardize party unity as election season approaches. Bruesewitz’s message on social media reinforces the belief in Donalds as the presumptive victor and underscores Florida’s pivotal role in the larger MAGA narrative. The sentiment of inevitability swirling around Donalds seems to highlight efforts to curtail Fishback’s campaign, but as long as he remains committed, the race becomes a direct confrontation between the forces of establishment control and populist dissent within the GOP, with Florida serving as the battleground for this ideological struggle.
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