Byron Donalds

Taxes & spending Strongly agrees· stated position

Donalds has made tax reduction a centerpiece: he says he will use the state Tax and Budget Reform Commission, which convenes in 2027, to 'study all taxes and fees in Florida' with the goal of eliminating homestead property taxes, and he pitches his campaign around affordability.

"We are going to study all taxes and fees in Florida. We're going to set a goal of finally eliminating homestead property taxes in our state."

Property taxes Strongly agrees· stated position

Donalds said he supports Amendment 3, the November ballot measure raising the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.

"It's not our money. It belongs to the citizen."

Property insurance Strongly disagrees· stated position

At the WLRN Sunshine Economy Summit on Sept. 23, 2026 Donalds opposed creating a new state-backed catastrophe insurance fund and said he would instead change the existing Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. At a Martin County roundtable the same day he said his 'Bring Down The Bill' plan would cut property insurance premiums by 20% to 25%.

"My 'Bring Down The Bill' plan will lower premiums, cut red tape, and keep Florida the best state in the nation to start and grow a business."

Housing affordability Leans agree· stated position

Donalds' housing plan focuses on supply-side measures: cutting permitting timelines and regulatory costs (which he says can be about 30% of a new home's cost), loosening local zoning restraints (he has urged Miami-Dade to 'get creative'), and repurposing unused public land for homes. He pairs this with his property-tax elimination goal; no support for subsidies or rent measures was found.

"The permitting timelines and titling of developments is taking way too long."

Immigration Strongly agrees· stated position

At a Florida A&M University student town hall in Lee Hall on Sept. 29, 2026, Donalds defended immigration enforcement and the university's 287(g) agreement with federal immigration authorities, saying Florida would comply with federal immigration law and that lawful residents had nothing to fear.

"We have a responsibility to comply with federal law, and we will comply with federal law in the state of Florida…There has to be a standard in immigration."

Abortion Strongly disagrees· stated position

Donalds has called Florida's six-week 'Heartbeat Protection Act' the 'right move' and says he would not move to change the current law; he says abortion policy should be decided by states rather than federal bans, and that there is not sufficient momentum to go further at this time. He is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Florida Voice for the Unborn.

Guns Strongly disagrees· stated position

Donalds says 'job one' as governor would be repealing two parts of the 2018 post-Parkland law: the red-flag (risk protection order) law and the 21-year-old minimum age for long-gun purchases. He says he would also support and push for open carry and has pledged support for constitutional carry for adults 18 and older. He is endorsed by Gun Owners of America and, as of Sept. 16, 2026, the NRA.

"I would support and push for that, but I think that the bigger thing that we need to get done is really unwinding the red flag laws in our state."

Health care Leans disagree· stated position

Donalds' 'Your Doctor, Your Price' plan requires providers to post cash prices for their top 20 services, aligns Florida's prescription-drug program with federal costs and targets pre-authorizations and surprise billing. He has questioned whether people need 'full-blown' health insurance and defended the 2025 federal budget law's Medicaid provisions as spending controls; no statement supporting Medicaid expansion in Florida was found.

Education & school choice Strongly agrees· stated position

Donalds calls himself a staunch supporter of Florida's universal voucher program and proposes a 'universal scorecard' of outcomes for all schools, co-locating charter, private or parochial schools in under-enrolled district buildings, and a career-pathway plan for every student starting in sixth grade. He did not propose teacher raises in his PTA remarks. On Oct. 26 WFLX reported that he told it he supports keeping universal vouchers in place.

Environment & water Leans agree· stated position

Donalds' platform pledges to complete Everglades restoration, improve water quality, expand water supply and protect beaches; he cites the blue-green algae blooms that hurt Southwest Florida's economy and says 'if you don't have fresh water, you have nothing.' He also favors reducing permitting regulation for housing.

Growth & development Mixed / neutral· stated position

On data centers, Donalds said siting decisions belong to local governments rather than the state and that he would not impose a state moratorium, while saying existing permit requirements should keep utility bills from rising and protect fresh water.

"County commissioners issue building permits, not governors."

Marijuana Strongly disagrees· stated position

Donalds says he does not support legalizing recreational marijuana and that the current medical-marijuana regulatory system is fine.

"I do not support recreational marijuana."

Elections & voting Strongly disagrees· stated position

Supports election-integrity measures including documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration (per Smarter.Vote's summary of his campaign positions); in Congress he voted for the SAVE Act.

Crime & policing Strongly agrees· stated position

Donalds' 'Zero Tolerance' agenda pledges to 'stand with those who serve' and give law enforcement the resources they need, strengthen officer recruitment, retention, pay and benefits, and ban sanctuary policies; he is endorsed by the Florida PBA, Fraternal Order of Police, Police Chiefs Association and most sheriffs.

Gender identity laws Strongly agrees· stated position

As a state legislator in 2020 Donalds co-introduced bills including one that would have criminalized doctors providing transition-related care to minors; in 2026 he says his opposition to transgender-related policies is 'common sense' rather than a 'culture war' and has made the issue a central contrast with Jolly, including an ad PolitiFact rated deceptively edited.

Energy & utilities Strongly disagrees· stated position

Donalds rejected capping utility return on equity after the FPL rate case, saying caps lead to 'worse service' by starving grid investment; his plan to lower bills emphasizes small modular and micro nuclear reactors, hydrogen and 'another natural gas pipeline.'

"A cap might sound good politically, but it's a terrible solution."

Trump administration Strongly agrees· stated position

Donalds launched his campaign in February 2025 with President Trump's endorsement and has run as a Trump ally; Trump's backing was a central theme of his primary campaign.

Veterans Leans agree· stated position

At a Jacksonville veterans roundtable Donalds proposed letting veterans use GI Bill benefits to start small businesses, expanding VA clinic support, digitizing medical records, and investing in mental-health services for veterans; his campaign runs a 'Veterans for Byron' coalition and is backed by Concerned Veterans for America Action.