Byron Donalds Archives - Orlando Weekly

Floridians are raising the alarms over data centers and AI. Where do Byron Donalds and David Jolly stand?

Democrat wants a moratorium on any data centers for a year; Republican says he’ll leave it up to local governments to make that decision.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

Alarm about the potential threat to the labor economy and even human civilization itself from artificial intelligence sharpened over the weekend and may lead to even more anxiety for Floridians about AI and, specifically data centers, which power that technology. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei triggered the escalation Saturday by publishing a 3,800-word essay warning that AI models […]

‘Thank you Ron DeSantis for stealing $10 million from sick kids’: State Rep candidate confronts governor over Hope Florida scandal

“You showed true leadership stealing $10 million from poor kids and putting it into your politically motivated PACs!”

by Colin Wolf September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Byron Donalds picks up endorsement from anti-abortion group

Donalds has a consistent anti-abortion record, unlike his opponent David Jolly, a former Republican who has shifted gears on the issue.

by McKenna Schueler September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

Cook Political Report shifts Florida gubernatorial race from ‘solid’ to ‘likely’ Republican

One of the top political prediction websites in the country says Byron Donalds remains the favorite for Florida governor but sees some shift toward Democrat David Jolly.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix August 28, 2026August 28, 2026

David Jolly says Casey DeSantis, Hope Florida were ‘used’ in a ‘sinister plan’

Jolly, who has committed to opening an investigation into the transfer of $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation if elected governor, called Republican opponent Byron Donalds a coward for not agreeing to do the same.

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix August 28, 2026August 28, 2026

Byron Donalds chooses ‘Stop Woke Act’ lawmaker as running mate for Florida governor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds named Miami-Dade County Sen. Bryan Avila to serve as his running mate Tuesday.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix August 26, 2026August 26, 2026

The James Fishback campaign has ended. What about the movement behind it?

He finished a distant third with 10% of the vote in the race for the Republican nomination for governor

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

Nearly 1.5 million Floridians have voted in advance of Tuesday’s primary elections

Among outstanding vote-by-mail ballots, Democrats had about 100,000 more, 401,250, to the Republicans’ 302,317.

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

Byron Donalds says he’ll remove local officials who indulge in ‘sanctuary’ policies

Byron Donalds is positioned to succeed Ron DeSantis in the governor’s mansion next year

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

David Jolly blasts Byron Donalds’ ‘attack’ on LGBTQ+ rights amid Florida governor’s race

Donalds says he won’t back down on ‘cultural differences’ with Jolly

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

Byron Donalds wants to ax ultra-processed foods in schools

Donalds wants ultra-processed food, artificial dyes, and “harmful additives” removed from school meals.

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

News

Fishback remains on Florida ballot despite residency claims

Fishy

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

Florida Republicans jump aboard U.S. House bill that seeks to block heat protection for workers

One of the Congressional bill’s co-sponsors is Byron Donalds, a Republican frontrunner in the race for Florida governor this year.

by McKenna Schueler July 24, 2026July 29, 2026

Lawsuit alleges Byron Donalds threatened a Florida school board member in 2022

A Collier County school board member is accusing Donalds of threatening and intimidating her during a confrontation at a Naples grocery store in 2022.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

Florida News, News

Florida Republicans warn of rise of popularity of Democratic Socialists, or ‘anarchist psychos’

“They are anarchist psychos who want to destroy this country,” added U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 29, 2026June 29, 2026

Florida GOP gubernatorial candidates blast party’s decision to not hold debate

Party officials say that only Byron Donalds of Naples has met the established criteria to qualify

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Florida Republicans James Fishback, Byron Donalds and Paul Renner qualify for governor race

The three were among those who paid the $8,480 fee Tuesday to qualify for the race

by News Service of Florida June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

MAGA Republican Byron Donalds met by protesters at Orlando campaign stop

About a dozen people organized with Orlando 50501 protested across the street from the GOP frontrunner’s campaign event in Orlando Wednesday morning.

by McKenna Schueler May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

Most major Florida gubernatorial candidates say state should never legalize recreational marijuana

Democrat David Jolly is one exception. He says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

Paul Renner wants ‘permanent’ ban on Muslim immigration if elected governor

“Long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist,” Renner said

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 25, 2026March 25, 2026