Donalds gains endorsements for speaker ahead of GOP conference vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds has garnered the favor of some of his colleagues from the Sunshine State’s D.C. delegation as he vies to become the next speaker of the U.S. House.
Donalds is running alongside several other Republican congressmen to replace the vacancy of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted as a result of a motion brought by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz this month.
As of Monday morning, Donalds was endorsed by fellow Florida Republican Reps. Carlos Gimenez, Mike Waltz, and Mario Diaz-Balart. Cory Mills endorsed Donalds last week.
Gimenez, notably, did not vote for Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker last week. His bid failed multiple times, and he dropped out later last week.
“As a fellow Floridian and as an America First Republican, I am proud to endorse my friend and colleague Byron Donalds for Speaker of the House,” Gimenez said over the weekend. “Byron is the present & future of our movement — he’s the conservative leader we need to unite us as Republicans.”
“Our country desperately needs leadership to hold Biden accountable and move our country forward,” Waltz said. “Pleased to support fellow Floridian and conservative @ByronDonalds for Speaker of the House.”
Balart called Donalds an “honorable leader” who is respected by the “entire” conference.
“That is why it is a privilege to endorse Byron for speaker,” Balart said on X.
Monday afternoon, Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson tossed his support behind Donalds as well.
Other Republicans seeking the seat include Rep. Tom Emmer, the Republican majority whip from Minnesota, Jack Bergman from Michigan, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Austin Scott of Georgia, and Pete Sessions of Texas.
Donalds has been making his pitch to both conservative voters and “Main Street” Republicans, calling for action on issues like border security, “responsibly” funding the government, advancing a “conservative” agenda, and working to expand the GOP’s narrow House majority.
He also promised to release tapes kept from the public surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 riots.
“We gotta get back to work immediately,” Donalds said on Fox News. “We can have unity in our conference. It’s gonna start with a fresh voice in leadership working with all of our colleagues.”
Donalds did not vote to oust McCarthy, and he did vote for Jordan for speaker last week with many other Republicans.
The Florida Republican congressmen, representing a Southwest Florida district, gained national attention earlier this year when he was revealed as an upcoming contender for speaker before McCarthy ultimately prevailed in January.
There will reportedly be a candidate forum Monday evening, a secret ballot vote for the party’s nominee Tuesday morning, and then a floor vote as early as Tuesday night or this week.
