The race for Florida Governor saw a significant shift today as Byron Donalds crossed a major threshold in law enforcement support. The campaign announced that Donalds has now secured endorsements from over half of all Republican sheriffs in the state.
The milestone comes after four more sheriffs from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas officially backed Donalds on Monday. Calhoun County Sheriff Michael Bryant, Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith, Jefferson County Sheriff Mac McNeill, and Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold all added their names to the list.
This brings Donalds’ total count of sheriff endorsements to 33.
These four new supporters join a group that already includes high-profile figures like Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, who announced their support just days earlier.
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The growing coalition places Donalds alongside other major backers, including President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Ryan Smith, the Chief Strategist for the Donalds campaign, said the wave of badges backing the Congressman proves he is the trusted choice for public safety.
“Byron Donalds is the candidate Florida law enforcement trusts to keep our state safe,” Smith said. He added that Donalds plans to work closely with President Trump and local officers to tackle issues like dangerous drugs and illegal immigration. “Byron Donalds’ law and order agenda will ensure criminals stay behind bars, victims get justice, and families can live in safety.”
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The campaign says this surge in law enforcement support matches their financial momentum. Following what they described as a massive fundraising quarter, Donalds’ team points to recent polling that shows him leading his Republican primary opponents and holding a wide advantage over potential Democrat challengers.
With the majority of the state’s Republican sheriffs now in his corner, Donalds is looking to cement his status as the frontrunner.
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