Editor's note: Jenna Ellis is a resident of Florida.
Her column this week focuses on the upcoming race for governor there.
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds has made headlines during his campaign for governor by sounding alarms over traffic, insurance rates, and infrastructure. The problem? Most of the issues he’s pointing to are already being solved, thanks to the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and, by extension, the America First blueprint set by President Trump.
Take road congestion. Donalds has promised to “build smart, modern roads,” calling Florida’s traffic “unacceptable.” But Governor DeSantis’ "Moving Florida Forward" initiative is already executing that promise. Projects are moving years, even decades, ahead of schedule. Red tape is being cut. Modernization is happening right now. Donalds is late to the game and treating progress like a punchline.
The same goes for insurance. Yes, Florida had a crisis, but the market has stabilized thanks to reforms signed into law under DeSantis. At a February press conference, the governor clearly laid out those results. Donalds is either ignoring the facts or pretending they don’t exist – neither is leadership.
Most telling? Donalds posted on X: “Under Ron DeSantis, we finished the job.”
If that’s true, why is he running? Why not protect the wins rather than repackage solved problems and call it a platform?
What Florida needs next isn’t a candidate playing catch-up or recycling talking points. We need someone to protect the DeSantis legacy and continue the Trump vision of bold, unapologetic conservatism. That requires focus, strength, and authentic leadership on key issues like pro-life protections and keeping woke corporations from hijacking marijuana regulation. Donalds hasn’t led on either.
This isn’t personal – it’s strategic. Byron Donalds has potential, but Florida isn’t a training ground. With the state firmly red, we cannot risk backsliding to purple under untested leadership. Florida has become the model for conservative governance – a firewall for national sanity. If we get this wrong, there’s nowhere else to go.
Florida can’t afford a timid or lackluster governor following Ron DeSantis. Right now, Byron Donalds hasn’t shown he’s worthy of Florida’s support. We need a fighter who can build on this moment, not just repeat it or, worse, lose ground.
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