Byron Donalds is a former Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 19th District. He is a liberty activist and a sought-after speaker on the Constitution and conservative principles. A finance professional and former registered Democrat, Donalds currently serves as a political commentator for media, campaigns, grassroots organizations, and nonprofits.
Byron Donalds is originally from Brooklyn, New York and is the product of a single parent household. He left Brooklyn at the age of 17 to attend Florida A&M University, and later, Florida State University, where he graduated with degrees in Finance and Marketing. Donalds’ successful professional career has been in banking and finance, specifically commercial credit and risk management.
Donalds is a member of the Edison State College Board of Trustees, a member of the Advisory Committee for the Salvation Army of Collier County, and Vice President of Mason Classical Academy, a Hillsdale College Charter School in Naples, Florida.
In his run for US Congress, a political new-comer at the time, Byron Donalds assembled and led a grassroots effort with over 450 volunteers, won every debate/straw poll where candidates were evaluated by fellow citizens at community forums, and eventually became the top vote-getter in Collier County out of the six candidates competing in District 19 (Lee and Collier counties). He was endorsed by the Naples Daily News as a dedicated public servant with a deep understanding of the issues, and someone who they predicted will emerge as a leader not only locally but on a national level. (Naples Daily News, July 22, 2012). Donalds was also endorsed by CAPE PAC and was named one of BET’s Republicans to Watch in 2012.
Donalds and his wife, Erika, have three sons and live in Naples, Florida.