Byron Donalds: The “Two Decisions” Candidate Uniting Republicans, Bridging Racial Gaps, Channeling Bob Graham’s Everyman Legacy  – JP

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At the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County’s Liberty Breakfast featuring Congressman Byron Donalds at Kuba Cabana in Doral, Saturday July 12 2025, the dominant theme from speakers such as Miami-Dade REC Chairman Kevin Cooper, State Rep. JC Porras, RPOF Chairman Evan Power, and Congressman Donalds himself was a strong call for party unity as Florida approaches the 2026 election cycle. The event drew approximately 250 attendees, including notable figures like SOE Alina Garcia and Peruvian Ambassador-designate Bernie Navarro, as well as a long list of local elected officials and Republican Party committeemen and committeewomen.   

Donalds opened his remarks by praising Governor Ron DeSantis and his achievements over two terms, signaling his intent to build on that legacy rather than depart from it. This approach aligns with his public campaign messaging, where he positions himself as the natural extension of DeSantis’s “free state of Florida” agenda, emphasizing continuity and stability. He notably has President Trump’s endorsement in the race, which he highlighted as a significant strength. 

Personal stories played a central role in Donald’s speech: 

• He shared insights from his upbringing by a single Jamaican mother and admitted to youthful rebellion and its consequences, crediting his personal turnaround to embracing Christianity. 

• Donalds referenced his experiences working in kitchens—“everyone is ‘two decisions’ away from washing dishes”—to underscore his relatability and commitment to understanding the lives of everyday Floridians. 

• He brought up his family, expressing gratitude that his three sons are “growing up as normal heterosexual young men,” and spoke about his past work as a church counselor, advising others to persevere and rebuild after setbacks. 

Donald’s approach mirrors, in some ways, former Governor Bob Graham’s famous “workdays”—an effort to break down barriers between elected officials and everyday citizens. He positions himself as a grounded and accessible leader, stressing that he is “one of them,” not above the average voter. 

Policy-wise, Donalds promises to: 

• Lower property insurance bills 

• Reduce traffic congestion 

• Make Florida a global financial capital 

• Improve educational outcomes, He ties these promises to a broader vision of making Florida “THE leading state” in the nation, with aspirations to foster aerospace, technology, and digital asset industries, often contrasting Florida’s trajectory with states like New York. 

His rhetoric also directly challenges racial stereotyping, making the argument that the Republican Party should be color-blind and encouraging minorities to reject the idea that they must vote Democrat. This stance is considered a key differentiator for Donalds, primarily as he aims to break the perception that ethnic minorities can’t be conservative. 

Notably, while Donalds referenced Maslow’s hierarchy of needs by underscoring safety and shelter, he did not address Florida’s ongoing housing affordability crisis—a critical omission given the state’s well-documented challenges and recent trends of migration shifting toward other states like South Carolina.  He also did not address two controversial topics likely to be raised during the campaign: his prior statements on the January 6 defendants and Ashli Babbitt, as well as his public support for Trayvon Martin. These issues remain polarizing among conservative primary voters and the broader electorate. 

The 2026 Florida gubernatorial race itself remains solidly Republican-leaning, with recent polling showing Donalds holding a comfortable lead over Democratic candidates like David Jolly (37% to 31% in a June 2025 poll), though about a third of voters remain undecided. Most major political forecasters rate the race as a “Solid R” or “Safe R” for the GOP. 

In summary, Byron Donalds used the Liberty Breakfast platform to reinforce themes of unity, relatability, and conservative advancement, drawing on both personal narrative and policy ambition. By blending an accessible, everyman persona with the support of Republican heavyweights and a message of inclusivity, Donalds aims to transform Florida’s GOP image while maintaining its dominant electoral position.