Another Florida Republican member of Congress is backing former President Donald Trump in his 2024 run for the White House as the state's governor mulls a bid of his own.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Byron Donalds is the third Florida Republican in the U.S. House to endorse, following similar announcements from Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Matt Gaetz

  • The announcement comes as the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, attends political events across the country, but has not yet announced a long-rumored 2024 White House bid

  • Despite not officially announcing his candidacy, the endorsements are beginning to add up for the Florida governor: Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Chip Roy of Texas have backed DeSantis for the White House next year

Rep. Byron Donalds is the third Florida Republican in the U.S. House to endorse, following similar announcements from Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Matt Gaetz.

"There is only one leader at this time in our nation's history who can seize this moment and deliver what we need to get us back on track, provide strength and resolve, and Make America Great Again," said Donalds in a statement. "That is why I am honored to endorse President Donald J. Trump for president in 2024." 

Donalds' endorsement of Trump comes after Trump was arraigned this week on 34 felony counts of business fraud for his alleged role in hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential election. Trump entered a plea of not guilty for all of the charges that had been brought against him.  

Donalds has called the case a "joke."

Other Florida Republicans in Congress haven't publicly endorsed any candidates in 2024.

The announcement comes as the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, attends political events across the country, but has not yet announced a long-rumored 2024 White House bid. DeSantis visited the battleground state of Michigan on Thursday.

Despite not officially announcing his candidacy, the endorsements are beginning to add up for the Florida governor: Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky endorsed DeSantis this week.

"America needs a leader who is decisive, respects the Constitution, understands policy, puts family first, and leads by inspiring," said Massie. "That's why I'm endorsing Ron DeSantis for President." 

Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, has also backed DeSantis' White House bid.

"This is a guy who I think represents a new generation of leadership," Roy said last week. "This is a guy who can serve eight years; this is a guy who won by a million-and-a-half votes."