{"id":2419336,"date":"2025-04-03T09:31:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T13:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/johnson-endorses-donalds-for-florida-governor-desantis-keeps-distance-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-03T09:31:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T13:31:42","slug":"johnson-endorses-donalds-for-florida-governor-desantis-keeps-distance-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/johnson-endorses-donalds-for-florida-governor-desantis-keeps-distance-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Johnson endorses Donalds for Florida governor, DeSantis keeps distance &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjohnson-endorses-donalds-for-florida-governor-desantis-keeps-distance-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2419336&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>House Speaker Mike Johnson has endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds in the race for Florida&#8217;s governorship in 2026, significantly enhancing Donalds&#8217;s position among candidates as the primary contest becomes increasingly competitive. Donalds has already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pennsylvania-supreme-court-democrat-daniel-mccaffery-defeats-republican-carolyn-carluccio\/\" title=\"Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Democrat Daniel McCaffery defeats Republican Carolyn Carluccio\">attracted substantial financial support<\/a> since announcing his candidacy in February and received the all-vital endorsement from former President Donald Trump earlier. Johnson praised Donalds as a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-us-house-races-heat-up-ahead-of-aug-2-primary\/\" title=\"Arizona US House ...s Heat Up Ahead of Aug. 2 Primary\">principled conservative leader<\/a>&#8221; who aligns wiht the &#8220;America First&#8221; agenda. Though, Donalds faces challenges including the popular current Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been critical of Donalds\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">early campaign declaration<\/a> and may also run for the position after his term ends. Recent polling indicates a competitive race, with Donalds leading among likely Republican primary voters once Trump&#8217;s endorsement is factored in.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Johnson endorses Donalds in Florida governor race while DeSantis keeps distance<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2081191\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>House Speaker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Mike Johnson\">Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA) endorsed Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/byron-donalds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Byron Donalds\">Byron Donalds<\/a> (R-FL) in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Mike Johnson\">Florida<\/a>&lsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-governors-race-the-democrats-who-could-replace-gavin-newsom-in-2026\/\" title=\"Possible Democratic candidates for California ... in 2026.\">2026 gubernatorial race<\/a>, giving him a major boost in what appears set to be a crowded primary.<\/p>\n<p>Donalds&rsquo;s campaign has enjoyed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3367127\/byron-donalds-florida-governor-run-fundraising-surge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"flood of money\">flood of donations<\/a> since he announced his candidacy in late February, setting him up as a leading contender. Johnson&rsquo;s endorsement gives him the backing of the most powerful man in Congress.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3368778\/ashley-hinson-introduces-bill-codify-trump-order-protecting-america-bank-account-from-waste\/\">Hinson introduces bill to codify Trump order protecting &#8216;America&#8217;s bank account&#8217; from waste<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3368447\/speaker-johnson-majority-reinforcements-swearing-in-florida-republicans\/\">Speaker Johnson&#8217;s majority gets reinforcements with swearing-in of two Florida Republicans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3368016\/house-democrats-investigating-rfk-jr-bird-flu-response\/\">House Democrats investigating RFK Jr. over &#8216;reckless&#8217; bird flu response<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Byron Donalds is a principled conservative leader who Floridians can trust as their next governor,&rdquo; Johnson told <em>Politico<\/em> <em>Playbook<\/em>. &ldquo;In Congress, Byron has been tenacious in standing up for Florida and President Trump&rsquo;s America First agenda. I have no doubt he will bring that same fighting spirit with him as governor.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Donalds already won the GOP&rsquo;s most coveted endorsement, President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Donald-Trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a>, in late February. Johnson&rsquo;s endorsement may unite many House Republicans behind their colleague.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3367127\/byron-donalds-florida-governor-run-fundraising-surge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"DONALDS SURGING IN FUNDRAISING SINCE ANNOUNCING FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL RUN\">DONALDS SURGING IN FUNDRAISING SINCE ANNOUNCING FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL RUN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donalds&rsquo;s biggest roadblock is the popular incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has hinted that his wife may be joining the race after he term limits out in 2026. DeSantis criticized Donalds&rsquo;s announcement in February, saying it was too early, and suggested he wasn&rsquo;t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-gop-primary-pits-trump-endorsement-against-bush-political-dynasty\/\" title=\"Texas GOP Primary Pits Trump ... Against Bush Political Dynasty\">sufficiently conservative<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/725255-internal-poll-shows-byron-donalds-routs-casey-desantis-if-voters-know-donald-trump-backs-him-for-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Feb. 26-27 poll of 600 likely Republican primary voters\">Feb. 26-27 poll<\/a> of 600 likely Republican primary voters, conducted by the research and strategic consulting firm <a href=\"https:\/\/fabriziolee.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fabrizio Lee &amp; Associates<\/a>, hired by Donalds, showed a close race, with Donalds getting 34% of support and Casey DeSantis getting 30%. However, when voters were informed of Trump&rsquo;s endorsement, Donalds&rsquo;s lead surged by 22 points, 45% to 23%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2081191\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2081191\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Johnson backs Donalds for Florida governor as DeSantis stays away<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2419337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP25034742274085.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4980,13249,5113,4173,4162],"class_list":["post-2419336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-desantis","tag-donalds","tag-florida","tag-governor","tag-johnson"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP25034742274085.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2419336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2419336"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2419336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2419340,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2419336\/revisions\/2419340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2419337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2419336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2419336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2419336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}