A Local 10 News report published Oct. 1 covers a dispute among Florida gubernatorial candidates over how to fix property insurance problems in the state. One of those candidates is Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), a Republican who represents Florida's 19th Congressional District and announced in February 2025 that he would run for governor in 2026.
Florida homeowners have faced sharply rising premiums and insurer exits from the market in recent years, making property insurance a central issue in the 2026 governor's race.
Winners & Losers
Donalds has served in the House since January 2021, winning his seat in a narrow 2020 Republican primary with 23 percent of the vote. Dane Eagle finished second at 22 percent, Casey Askar third at 20 percent, and William Figlesthaler fourth at 18 percent.
Donalds has not been seriously challenged for reelection, according to his profile, and in 2024 he did not face a Republican primary and defeated Democrat Kari Lerner in the general election, 66 percent to 34 percent. That margin, nearly two to one, reflects how reliably Republican the district is.
Race Ratings
Donalds entered the governor's race in February 2025 with an endorsement from President Donald Trump, according to his congressional biography. The governor's race is not until November 2026, and the field of candidates is still taking shape. Florida's governor's office has been held by Republicans since 1999, and the incumbent, Ron DeSantis, is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.
In Their Corner
Trump's endorsement of Donalds came at the time of his entry into the governor's race in February 2025, according to Donalds' congressional biography.
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