The race for Florida’s Governor’s Mansion shifted gears again this week as Turning Point Action, the influential political advocacy group founded by the late Charlie Kirk, officially endorsed U.S. Representative Byron Donalds. The major endorsement arrives just as the Republican primary field widens, signaling a consolidation of conservative support around Donalds.
The organization’s backing builds on personal support from Kirk himself, who signaled his preference nearly a year ago. “Everybody should support Byron Donalds for Governor of the Great State of Florida,” Kirk stated in March 2025. “Byron, congrats. We’re behind you.”
Donalds welcomed the organizational endorsement as a key victory for his campaign’s momentum.
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“It’s an honor to have Turning Point Action’s endorsement,” Donalds said in a statement. “Charlie Kirk’s legacy lives on through his organization, and I am grateful to have their support in my race for Governor. I’m blessed enough to have lived the American Dream in the great state of Florida, and I’m working every day to make sure those same opportunities are afforded to our next generation.”
Collins Enters, But Faces Steep Climb
The endorsement drops against the backdrop of Lt. Governor Jay Collins officially launching his own bid for the top job on Monday via social media. Collins joins a field that also includes former House Speaker Paul Renner, though early metrics suggest he faces a difficult path against the Trump-endorsed frontrunner.
New polling from Fabrizio, Lee & Associates, conducted Jan. 4-6, shows Donalds dominating the field. In a hypothetical four-way primary, Donalds leads Collins 45% to 6%. The gap is even more pronounced among voters aware of President Trump’s endorsement, where Donalds commands 73% of the vote.
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The Donalds campaign remains aggressive in its messaging, with Chief Strategist Ryan Smith telling the Tampa Free Press that anyone challenging Donalds is fighting a losing battle against the “only proven conservative fighter” in the race.
With the primary set for August 18, the combination of the Turning Point Action endorsement and strong polling numbers positions Donalds as the man to beat.
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