In Florida, Congressman Byron Donalds' seat is up for grabs for Republicans

In southwest Florida, ten Republicans are vying for the nomination to replace Rep. Byron Donalds. With the majority of candidates from outside the state - it's raising questions about representation.

August 15, 2026 11:29 AM ET Stephen A. Smith says Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds is the one politician who could pull him into the Republican Party, and he offered the endorsement days before the state’s GOP gubernatorial primary.The ESPN personality made the comments Thursday on his SiriusXM show “Straight Shoo

"He's the real deal. Make no mistake about it. I've seen him battling with Democrats," Smith said.

Stephen A. Smith says Byron Donalds could make him a Republican, praising the Trump-backed Florida governor frontrunner ahead of the GOP primary.