But now it’s official: GOP Rep. Byron Donalds has thrown his hat into the ring for the race to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis as Florida’s top executive. Although DeSantis has done a fantastic job and is hugely popular, he will be termed out in 2026.

Donalds made his announcement on Tuesday’s edition of Fox News’ “Hannity.” The three-term congressman heavily praised DeSantis as he outlined how he wanted to keep the Sunshine State “the best state in the country”:

Sean, after a lot of prayer, a lot of thoughts with my family and my friends, I’m here to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of the great state of Florida.

And Sean, we have a wonderful state. I got to Florida when I was 17 years old, off of a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes, and over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career—17 years in financial services. I joined the Tea Party movement; was in the conservative movement.

I was able to serve four years in the state legislature, four years in Congress, and I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future.

Donalds acknowledged the leadership that Ron DeSantis has shown when so many other governors in the nation have been failing so horribly:

We have a great governor. DeSantis has done a tremendous job for our state, but now the job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country, and so that’s going to be the mission at hand and I’m excited to announce my candidacy with you tonight.

Watch:

Breaking: Rep. @ByronDonalds officially announces he is running for governor in Florida. pic.twitter.com/tZVM6dEPpk

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) February 26, 2025

Donalds has been an up-and-comer, and he earned Donald Trump’s praise for his support on the campaign trail.