Erika Donalds revealed her secret plan that could transform Florida education forever

Erika Donalds has been quietly building an education empire behind the scenes.

Her husband just announced his run for governor.

And Erika Donalds revealed her secret plan that could transform Florida education forever.

The power player behind the scenes

Representative Byron Donalds gets the TV interviews and headlines as Trump’s go-to guy, but his wife Erika has been busy changing how America thinks about schools.

At the America First Policy Institute, Erika Donalds runs education policy and has Trump’s ear on getting rid of the Department of Education entirely.

She also sits on the advisory board of Moms for Liberty, the conservative parent organization that has emerged as a force in local school board races nationwide.

Beyond her policy work, Erika Donalds runs a charter school management company and foundation that has received millions in state funding, according to reports from the Florida Bulldog.

Put it all together and you’ve got someone who knows how to organize parents, write policy, and actually run schools.

Taking Florida school choice to the next level

Ron DeSantis turned Florida into the school choice capital of America. Any family can get a voucher for private school, no matter how much money they make.

But Erika Donalds believes the Sunshine State is just getting started.

Speaking at CPAC Latino, Donalds outlined her ideas for expanding Florida’s education innovations.

“Florida only uses one main organization, called Step Up For Students, to manage and give out school vouchers, while other states have several for families to choose from,” Donalds said.

She noted this allows for “competitiveness around customer service and technology” in other states.

Right now, families get stuck with whatever Step Up For Students gives them. Donalds wants to shake things up by bringing in competitors who’ll have to fight for customers.

Making room for schools that think outside the box

Donalds isn’t just talking about regular private schools.

She also said it should be easier for micro schools, learning pods, and other alternative education environments to participate in Florida’s voucher programs, and that the state could do more to help charter and private schools expand.

“The demand is so high, leading to long wait lists,” she noted about charter and private schools.

A personal mission rooted in experience

Though she said “it might be premature” to discuss a potential platform as First Lady, she expressed deep passion for improving reading and math proficiency in Florida and helping vulnerable groups succeed, including those in foster care and the juvenile justice system.

“I’ve always been very passionate about children who are in difficult circumstances and making sure that they have a pathway to success,” she said, referencing her own challenging upbringing.

Education was “the ticket out” for her, and she’s determined to ensure other children have the same opportunities she had.

Her focus on data-driven solutions sets her apart from politicians who rely on anecdotal success stories.

When asked about expanding Hope Florida, the program spearheaded by current First Lady Casey DeSantis that has come under investigation by state House Republicans, Donalds was cautious about making commitments.

“There’s been a lot of noise around that,” she said, referring to the investigation. “I’d love to learn more about the outcomes and what’s actually happening there that is helping families, aside from anecdotal. I’m a data person. I want to see the data, understand not only what we’re doing, but what other states are doing that are successful, and really understand what the best practices are.”

Walking a tightrope with DeSantis

Here’s where things get interesting.

Trump wants Byron Donalds to be the next governor, but DeSantis hasn’t said a word about supporting him.

In fact, DeSantis keeps talking up his wife Casey for the job, though she hasn’t jumped in yet.

Instead, the governor has suggested his wife Casey might run for the position, though she hasn’t announced a decision.

Erika Donalds maintained a diplomatic tone when discussing the situation.

“We’ve been very supportive of the governor and we think he’s done a great job as governor,” she said. “We’re very grateful for all that he’s done for our state and we’re just hoping to continue that legacy.”

She revealed that her husband and DeSantis haven’t discussed the gubernatorial race directly.

The response suggests the Donalds family is focused on building their own campaign rather than engaging in political drama with the current governor.

Fame comes with a price

Byron Donalds can’t go anywhere without getting mobbed for selfies now.

Erika Donalds called it “very energetic,” with “people excited that they have an option that they believe is going to continue what DeSantis has done so far.”

Supporters don’t even wait for the official campaign launch.

Many are already calling him “Hey, governor” when they see him around town.

Even in California, people stop him on the street.

But there’s a dark side to all this attention.

“It is disconcerting when those death threats and other threats come in at an increasing rate,” Donalds admitted.

She praised DeSantis for signing legislation that shields lawmakers’ addresses from public records, calling it “the right thing to do” given the threats their family has received.

A first lady who actually knows what she’s doing

Most governor’s wives pick up some nice cause after their husband wins office.

Erika Donalds has been running education policy for years. She’s not going to need a crash course on school reform.

Her background combines grassroots activism through Moms for Liberty, policy development at America First Policy Institute, and practical experience running educational institutions through her charter school company.

This unique combination of skills could accelerate Florida’s transformation into a national model for education innovation.

The question isn’t whether Erika Donalds will focus on education as First Lady – her track record makes that inevitable.

The question is how far she’ll be able to push Florida’s education revolution and whether other states will follow the Sunshine State’s lead in empowering parents and students with unprecedented choice and opportunity.