Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) officially announced on Tuesday that he has selected Florida state Senator Bryan Avila (R) to join his ticket as his running mate for the upcoming gubernatorial election. Donalds, who secured the Republican nomination in last week’s primary, introduced Avila by highlighting his legislative background and conservative credentials.

Avila is a well-established figure in Florida politics, having previously served as the speaker pro tempore of the Florida House of Representatives before moving to the state Senate. In his announcement, Donalds described Avila as a “proven warrior” and a “conservative fighter,” signaling a campaign strategy focused on aligning with the party's right-wing base. The selection of a running mate with significant experience in the state legislature is viewed by political analysts as an effort to bolster Donalds' policy platform and legislative outreach capabilities as he transitions from his role in the U.S. House to a statewide campaign. The campaign has not yet released specific details regarding the division of labor between the two candidates, but the partnership is expected to focus on mobilizing conservative voters across the state.