Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to back Byron Donalds at this stage. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
"We’ve achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there, so I think people look at it and say, you know you got a guy like Byron, he just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over these last years," DeSantis continued. "He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning doing that, and that’s fine, but OK, well then deliver results up there. That’s what I want to see. I want to see them delivering results for the people of Florida. We deliver it here all the time for the people of Florida, and that’s what we need to be doing."
DeSantis said he’s going to be raising money for the 2026 race and is looking for someone "that’s going to be able to continue and build off that success that we’ve had here in Florida."
"I think a lot of people think somehow the battle’s been won, and you don’t have to worry about it. We could revert very quickly. That could happen. 100%," DeSantis, who Trump endorsed in the 2018 gubernatorial race, said. "And so it really needs to be, 'OK, are you going to be somebody that’s going to fight for people, especially when it’s not easy? Have you been willing to get in and get involved in these big battles that we’ve had and have won over these many years?’ And if you’re not willing to do that, then I think we are going to see this state revert, so I would not take anything for granted."
Then-Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and wife Casey DeSantis arrive for a campaign event at Eternity Church on May 30, 2023 in Clive, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
He added that the late legendary American broadcaster Rush Limbaugh once told him at a dinner in Palm Beach during his first year as governor, "The only person I would rather have as my governor than you, is her."
On Thursday, Trump wrote on his social media platform in part, "Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!"
In response, Donalds shared a screenshot of the president's message. "President Trump is Making America Great Again. I'm committed to working with him to Keep Florida Great. Announcement coming soon!" the congressman said.
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At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) afterward, Donalds did not formally announce a gubernatorial bid but said it had been an "interesting 12 hours" and to "stay tuned."
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-declines-endorse-trump-pick-byron-donalds-florida-governor-touts-wife-casey-desantis