Byron Donalds

Byron Lowell Donalds (born October 28, 1978)[1] is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since 2021.[2][3] A member of the Republican Party, his district includes parts of Lee County and Collier County. Donalds previously was the Florida State Representative for the 80th district, which encompasses Hendry County and part of Collier County,[4] from 2016 to 2021.[5][4] He and Burgess Owens are the two current African-American House Representatives from the Republican Party.[6]

Byron Donalds
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 19th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byFrancis Rooney
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 80th district
In office
November 8, 2016 – November 3, 2020
Preceded byMatt Hudson
Succeeded byLauren Melo
Personal details
Born
Byron Lowell Donalds

(1978-10-28) October 28, 1978
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Erika Donalds
Children3
EducationFlorida State University (BS)
WebsiteHouse website

Early life and education

Donalds was born and raised in the Crown Heights neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York.[7][8] One of three children, he was raised by his single mother.[7] In 1996, Donalds graduated from Nazareth Regional High School in East Flatbush.[9] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University in 2002.[10][7]

Career
Donalds and President Donald Trump in 2019 with a former inmate freed by the First Step Act

Prior to entering politics, Donalds worked in the finance, insurance, and banking industries.[1] He has worked at TIB Bank, CMG Life Services, and Moran Wealth in Naples, Florida.[7]

After Donalds became politically involved as a participant in the Tea Party movement, he was encouraged to run for office.[7]

In 2012, Donalds was a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 19th congressional district. He finished fifth of six candidates.[11] In 2014, Donalds was reported as a likely candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 19th congressional district following the resignation of Trey Radel, but decided against running.[11]

Donalds was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016. During his Florida House tenure, Donalds chaired the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.[12]

U.S. House of Representatives

2020
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 19
Donalds being sworn in by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy

Donalds was the Republican nominee for Florida's 19th congressional district in the 2020 election, running to succeed retiring incumbent Francis Rooney.[13][14] In August 2020, anonymous text messages were sent out to constituents in the 19th district claiming that Donalds was dropping out of the race. Donalds later clarified via tweet that he was not dropping out and characterized the messages as "illegal".[15][16] During his campaign, Donalds stated his support for economic freedom, clean water, nuclear power and decreased government involvement in health care. He opposed the Green New Deal.[7]

In the November 2020 general election, Donalds defeated Democratic nominee Cindy Banyai. Donalds has said he will focus on policy related to water quality in Southwest Florida.[17]

Tenure

In late 2020, Donalds was identified as a participant in the Freedom Force, a group of incoming Republican members of the House of Representatives who "say they’re fighting against socialism in America".[18][19][20]

In January 2021, Donalds voted to object to the certification of electors from the states of Arizona and Pennsylvania in the 2020 presidential election.[21]

Committee assignments
  • Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Committee on Budget
  • Committee on Small Business[22]

Personal life

Donalds and his wife, Erika, have three sons. They live in Naples, Florida.[23] Donalds became a Christian at the age of 21.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Meet Byron". Byron Donalds for Congress. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  2. "Donalds, Rommel win state House seats". Naplesnews.com. 2016-08-30. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  3. "Florida House of Representatives - Byron Donalds - 2016-2018". Myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  4. "Byron Donalds  - 2020 - 2022 ( Speaker Sprowls ) | Florida House of Representatives". Retrieved Feb 2, 2021.
  5. Conradis, Brandon (November 3, 2020). "Republican Byron Donalds wins House race in Florida". TheHill.
  6. "Black-American Members by Congress, 1870–Present | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved Feb 2, 2021.
  7. Williams, Amy Bennett. "'Almost an oxymoron': Rising star Byron Donalds is a Black conservative aiming for national office". The News-Press.
  8. "Byron Donalds leading in Florida GOP primary, raising party's diversity hopes". Roll Call. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  9. "Nazareth Alumni Byron Donalds '96 Elected Florida State Representative - Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools". Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  10. Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (2016-08-04). "Meet Byron Donalds, Republican running in House District 80". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  11. "Byron Donalds decides not to run for Congress". archive.naplesnews.com.
  12. "Republican Byron Donalds wins District-19 Congressional seat". November 4, 2020.
  13. Bennett Williams, Amy. "Byron Donalds wins Republican primary election for U.S. Congressional District 19, will face Democrat Cindy Banyai". The News-Press. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  14. Ogles, Jacob (2020-01-06). "Byron Donalds announces bid for Francis Rooney's congressional seat". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  15. Alex Marquardt and Paul P. Murphy. "Fake texts and YouTube video spread disinformation about Republican primary candidate on election day". CNN. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  16. "Fake text claims Byron Donalds dropped out of Congressional race, he calls it illegal". NBC2 News. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  17. Williams, Amy Bennett. "'Blessed and highly favored' Byron Donalds wins election for U.S. Congressional District 19, pledges water quality No. 1 priority". Naples News. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  18. Jankowicz, Mia. "A group of incoming GOP House members, calling themselves the 'Freedom Force,' are trying to counter Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 'Squad'". Business Insider.
  19. Parke, Caleb (December 1, 2020). "GOP Congresswoman-elect on forming 'Freedom Force': Left is 'totally out of line' with mainstream". Fox News.
  20. "The 'Freedom Force': Republican group takes on the Squad and 'evil' socialism". the Guardian. November 30, 2020.
  21. Skoneki, Mark (January 7, 2021). "Florida Sen. Rick Scott votes yes on objection to Biden's presidency; Rubio votes no". Orlando Sentinel.
  22. "Committees and Caucuses | U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds". donalds.house.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  23. Ceballos, Ana. "Five questions for State Rep. Byron Donalds". Naples News. Retrieved 2020-09-05.

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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Francis Rooney		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 19th congressional district
2021–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Andrew Clyde		 United States Representatives by seniority
386th		 Succeeded by
Pat Fallon
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