Mike Haridopolos gave Byron Donalds one endorsement that sent a powerful message to Florida Republicans

The 2026 Florida Governor’s race is heating up fast.

Smart money has been watching which way the political winds blow.

And Mike Haridopolos gave Byron Donalds one endorsement that sent a powerful message to Florida Republicans.

The establishment backs Trump’s pick

U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos just threw his full support behind Byron Donalds’ campaign for Florida Governor.

This isn’t just any endorsement.

Haridopolos served as Florida Senate President and knows exactly how the state’s political machine works.

When a former Senate President backs your campaign, other Republicans take notice.

“Byron Donalds is the proven conservative leader we need to be Florida’s next Governor,” Haridopolos announced. “As President Trump’s endorsed candidate, Byron will ensure Florida remains the strongest, safest, and freest state in the nation.”

But here’s what makes this endorsement really strategic.

The timing wasn’t accidental.

Haridopolos announced his support right after Donalds unveiled a bipartisan plan to move NASA’s headquarters to Cocoa Beach – which happens to be in Haridopolos’s congressional district.

That’s smart politics.

Donalds isn’t just asking for support – he’s showing how he can deliver real benefits to the districts of the people backing him.

“Byron is also committed to cementing Florida as the #1 state in America for space,” Haridopolos added to his endorsement. “I am proud to endorse Byron Donalds for Governor.”

Trump’s endorsement creates momentum

The Haridopolos endorsement is the latest in a growing list of high-profile Republicans rallying behind Donalds.

President Trump gave Donalds his coveted endorsement earlier this year.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott jumped on board.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna added her support.

Now Haridopolos joins the team.

That’s the kind of coalition that wins Republican primaries in Florida.

Donalds has built a war chest of $20 million to go along with these endorsements.

Recent polling shows something interesting about the Trump factor.

When voters learn that Donalds has Trump’s endorsement, he outperforms other potential Republican candidates in hypothetical matchups.

That tells you everything you need to know about where the Republican base stands.

Luna spelled out exactly why she’s backing Donalds: “Byron Donalds is an America First and Florida First patriot. As Governor, Byron will work with President Trump to protect our state from illegal immigration, lower the cost of living, and improve the quality of life for our seniors and veterans.”

The smart money follows Trump

Here’s what’s really happening in Florida Republican politics.

The establishment figures who know how to win elections are reading the room.

They see Trump’s endorsement.

They see the polling numbers.

They see the fundraising success.

And they’re getting on board early rather than fighting a losing battle.

Haridopolos didn’t have to endorse anyone this early in the race.

But smart politicians understand momentum.

When you see a winner, you join them before the bandwagon gets too crowded.

Donalds is running to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis.

That’s going to be a competitive race with multiple candidates jumping in.

But Trump’s endorsement changes the entire dynamic.

Republican primary voters in Florida still love Trump.

When he picks a candidate, that carries serious weight.

The fact that establishment figures like Haridopolos are falling in line shows they understand the political reality.

This isn’t 2016 when the establishment tried to stop Trump.

This is 2025 and smart Republicans know that working with Trump is the path to victory.

Donalds represents the next generation of Trump-endorsed leaders.

He’s got the policy positions that appeal to the base.

He’s got the fundraising operation to compete.

And now he’s got the establishment endorsements to show he can build a winning coalition.

The message to other potential candidates is clear: Trump has made his choice, and the smart money is following his lead.

¹ Mike Haridopolos, quoted in Javier Manjarres, “Haridopolos Endorses Byron Donalds for Governor,” The Floridian, August 21, 2025.

² Anna Paulina Luna, quoted in Javier Manjarres, “Haridopolos Endorses Byron Donalds for Governor,” The Floridian, August 21, 2025.

³ Leslie Bolden, “Florida Republican Mike Haridopolos Throws Support Behind Byron Donalds For Governor,” National File, August 21, 2025.

⁴ Amber Jo Cooper, “U.S. Rep. Haridopolos endorses Rep. Donalds’ bid for Florida governor,” Florida Phoenix, August 21, 2025.