PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – The race for the Florida Governor’s Mansion saw another significant shift in the law enforcement landscape Wednesday as Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri officially threw his support behind Byron Donalds.
The announcement marks a notable milestone for the Donalds campaign, as Gualtieri becomes the 36th sheriff in the state to back his candidacy, securing a clear majority of Florida’s top county law enforcement officers.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Gualtieri emphasized that maintaining Florida’s current safety trends requires a specific approach to leadership.
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“We need Byron Donalds as the next governor of Florida,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. “Crime is at an all-time low and to keep Florida safe, we need a law-and-order Governor who supports law enforcement; the best person for the job is Byron Donalds.”
This latest endorsement adds to a growing list of high-profile backers for Donalds, who has already secured the support of various national figures and a significant portion of the Republican caucus in the Florida House.
Beyond the local level, Donalds has also been vocal about his alignment with federal efforts to enforce immigration laws and support the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His campaign team, led by strategist Ryan Smith, continues to position Donalds as the primary barrier against more lenient criminal justice policies, frequently highlighting his collaboration with both state law enforcement and federal leadership.
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The timing of Gualtieri’s endorsement coincides with a period of strong momentum for the Donalds campaign.
Recent financial disclosures from the fourth quarter show a substantial increase in fundraising, which, paired with polling data that suggests a comfortable lead over both primary and general election opponents, puts Donalds in a favorable position as the election cycle intensifies.
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