Latest news with #ByronDonalds
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Former GOP Congressman David Jolly launches Florida gubernatorial bid as a Democrat
Former Republican Congressman David Jolly, who represented Florida's 13th District from 2014 to 2017, is officially running for Governor of Florida as a Democrat. Jolly, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, joins a growing and diverse field in the 2026 race, which includes Republican Congressman Byron Donalds and former Democrat-turned-Independent Jason Pizzo. In an interview with CBS News Miami's Joan Murray, Jolly explained his decision to run under the Democratic banner, despite the significant voter registration gap favoring Republicans. "My values align with the Democratic Party. And I think in the state of Florida and the two-party system, the Democratic Party is the right vessel to bring about change, to lead a coalition of Democratic voters, traditional Democratic voters, independents, and common-sense Republicans. I think the Democratic Party can lead that coalition best," Jolly said. Jolly previously left the Republican Party, citing a lack of alignment with his core beliefs, and spent several years as an independent before recently registering as a Democrat. "Even when I was in Congress as a Republican, I supported marriage equality, gun control, climate science, campaign finance reform. Republicans didn't want me. Democrats didn't need me. I spent the last six or seven years as an independent, as an MPA in the state of Florida, and I love the independent thought that comes with that. You know, I say I'm for lower corporate taxes, but more gun control. That makes me left and right, and I think most voters have a real independent thought when it comes to politics, but my values have largely always aligned with the Democratic coalition," he explained. Affordability, culture and party rebuilding at center of campaign Jolly said his campaign will focus heavily on Florida's affordability crisis, a concern he says affects every community. "…In the state of Florida, that's impacting everybody, every walk of life, every community. People are concerned about their ability to afford quality housing, their ability to access a quality education, either through the public education system or through the voucher program, utility bills, car insurance. The affordability crisis in Florida is number one for voters, and it's number one for our family. We have young children. This is a lived experience for us. If we don't tackle the affordability crisis, people will continue to ask if they can raise their families in Florida. If they can continue to live in Florida." He blamed the Republican-controlled legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis for worsening the crisis. "I think Ron DeSantis has created the affordability crisis by favoring developers over responsible growth, by refusing to fix our property insurance crisis and by failing to address true property tax reform. He has created this moment." Jolly also criticized the cultural tone set under DeSantis' leadership. "I also would say that he has created a culture in Florida that does not represent the values that this state can hold. I believe in a state that lifts everybody up, that recognizes, regardless of who you love or who you worship, you're valued, and you're celebrated, that whether you moved here from another country, from another state, or were born here, you're welcome here. We're going to recognize your contribution to our state and our community. I think the culture wars have divided us. I think it's wrong in many ways. I think it's gross. I think we need to return to a value set where everybody is welcome in the state of Florida." A divided party and a crowded race Florida Democrats face steep challenges following significant losses in 2024. One of Jolly's opponents, Jason Pizzo, left the Democratic Party and declared it politically dead. In response, Jolly said, "I disagree, obviously, with Senator Pizzo, but I also will tell you this, I have enormous respect for Senator Pizzo. I respect anyone who follows their political conviction. I did that when I left the Republican Party. I understand his journey. I think he wants to bring about change in the state of Florida, and so do I. I think the way we do that is through the Florida Democratic Party." Candidates for Florida governor have until June 8–12, 2026, to qualify for the race.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Florida Republican's bill would make Trump orders permanent in bid for US 'dominance' in key industry
FIRST ON FOX: A Republican Florida congressman is looking to codify several of President Donald Trump's executive actions pertaining to domestic energy production through legislative action he took Monday. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by Trump to replace term-limited Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, introduced the "Strengthening American Nuclear Energy Act" in an effort to codify four of the president's executive actions related to boosting nuclear energy production and use in the United States. Trump signed the orders late last-month. "In November, the American people granted us an unprecedented mandate to implement President Trump's America First Agenda. Now more than ever, it's up to Congress to hold up our end of the bargain," Donalds told Fox News Digital. "Energy security is national security, and it's imperative that our nation re-asserts our dominance in the nuclear space." On May 23, Trump signed four executive orders aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of nuclear energy in the United States. One of those orders, the "Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security," directs the Army to build a nuclear reactor "at a domestic military base or installation" by September 30, 2028. The order also directs the Secretary of Energy to establish artificial intelligence data centers that run on nuclear energy at Department of Energy facilities across the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, with the goal of having the first one completed within the next 30-months. Finally, in addition to these measures and others, the wide-ranging executive order directs the country to pursue at least 20 new international nuclear cooperation agreements. Meanwhile, another one of the orders that Donalds' legislation seeks to codify compels the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to prepare a comprehensive report within 240 days of when the order was signed. The report is supposed to include a national strategy to support the management of spent nuclear fuel and other "high-level waste," an evaluation of the current reprocessing and recycling efforts related to spent nuclear fuel and recommendations on how to improve it, and a program to develop methods and techniques for transporting used and unused nuclear fuel. The order also includes several other timelines, including one for the publication of a report on how to strengthen domestic uranium conversion capacity and enrichment capabilities. It also imposes timelines for the government to update its nuclear energy policies to spur production, and says that at least 10 large nuclear reactors must be under construction no later than 2030. The final two orders from Trump, which Donalds is seeking to codify, are largely aimed at reducing regulatory burdens surrounding nuclear energy production. The first of the two seeks to reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in order to help accelerate domestic nuclear energy production. The order aims to do away with what it describes as the NRC's excessive caution that has hindered the growth of nuclear energy in the United States. The second regulatory-focused nuclear energy directive from Trump is aimed at reforming the Department of Energy's nuclear reactor testing, in an effort to speed up the development of nuclear power plants. For instance, the order requires officials at the Energy Department to revise internal procedures to ensure that new reactors can become operational within two years of when builders apply to construct it. The safety risks of nuclear energy have long been a debate among energy policymakers in Washington. Part of Trump's orders are to expedite some of the safety regulations which his administration claims have been stifling domestic nuclear energy production. However, nuclear energy experts, such as Ernest Moniz, an Obama-era energy secretary and nuclear physicist, have said Trump's move to reform the NRC could be problematic. "Reorganizing and reducing the independence of the NRC could lead to the hasty deployment of advanced reactors with safety and security flaws," Moniz told the Washington Post. "A major event would, like those in the past, increase regulatory requirements and set back nuclear energy for a long time." Others, such as Paul Dickman, a former senior staffer on the NRC, have said Trump's reforms have "no scientific foundation." "You can't just do this by fiat," Dickman told the Post.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Turning Point backs Arizona congressman, a BYU grad, in his bid for governor
PHOENIX — Turning Point Action didn't leave a single stone unturned for Rep. Andy Biggs' first rally in his bid for governor —sixteen months ahead of the 2026 election. At the rally, Biggs made it clear he is all in on President Donald Trump's plan to reinstitute federalism. When the president does give the power back to the states, Arizona will need 'a strong, conservative governor,' Biggs told the attendees at the rally, held in a ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore Resort Saturday evening. More than a thousand people showed up to support Biggs in the sweltering desert heat, with temperatures rising above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. What is Biggs' vision for the Grand Canyon State? He joked he wants to make Arizona 'the Florida of the West,' a nod to his colleague Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who plans to run for governor of the Sunshine State. Donalds expressed support for Biggs in a video showed at the rally. Like Biggs, Donalds launched his bid earlier this year. For that, Biggs called him, jokingly, a 'copy cat.' 'Byron, here's the deal, my good friend, you're going to win. I'm going to win, and about 90 days after we win, in particular me, you're going to see the tail lights in Arizona scream past you,' Biggs said. 'The idea was to initially be the Florida of the West, but we don't want to be just the Florida of the West. We want to be the most free, most prosperous, safest state, and that's what we're going to do,' he added. Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point Action, marveled at the idea of making the Grand Canyon State the 'new Florida.' Biggs thanked his many friends who showed up and spoke in support of him, including Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah. Other Republicans who turned out included Arizona Reps. Eli Crane and Paul Gosar, Lauren Boebert of Colorado as well as former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also made an appearance in a pre-recorded video. Biggs 'works harder than just about anybody you could ever meet in Congress, or anybody who exists,' Lee said in the video message, and asked the attendees to 'join the friends of Biggs club,' of which he said he's a proud member. It's hard to ignore Biggs' lucky streak. For starters, in 1993, he won a $10 million sweepstakes. More recently, in 2016, he initially won the Republican primary for his congressional district by nine votes, although the recount showed a 27 vote difference. But this Brigham Young University graduate and Latter-day Saint has an extensive history in politics that goes beyond the congressional seat he has held since 2016. Biggs served as an Arizona state representative for eight years before being elected as a state senator, then served as the state Senate majority leader and Senate president during three legislative sessions. 'Andy was one of the first to endorse me when I ran back in 2020 and he and his wife, Cindy, came up to Utah,' Owens recalled in a conversation with the Deseret News ahead of the event. 'We sat in an IHOP and just talked a little bit. ... I have a lot of respect for him.' According to Owens, Biggs understands the America First agenda, and should he become governor, the Arizona representative would have a connection to Washington, D.C., knowing exactly 'what levers to pull, who to talk with and how it works.' Attendees at the Biggs rally took their MAGA hats, shirts and other gear out for a serious spin for the first time since the 2024 presidential election. 'It's what hope looks like,' Owens said about the energy at the rally. One attendee, Phoenix Union High School District board member Jeremiah Cota from Laveen, Ariz., thinks it may have to do with Gov. Katie Hobbs' record. 'You don't fill a room with this many people unless the energy is on your side,' he said. 'People have seen what Katie Hobbs has done. It's a disaster for Arizona,' Cota said, calling her a 'veto governor.' According to the Phoenix New Times, Hobbs vetoed 216 bills during the latest state legislative session, far more than the 143 bills she vetoed in 2023 and 73 in 2024. Republicans control both chambers of the state legislature. Owens said he doesn't think the fact that President Donald Trump has endorsed two Republican candidates for governor in Arizona will be a problem for Biggs, especially given the Arizona representative's personal relationship with the president. Biggs touted his endorsement from Trump but didn't mention his Republican opponent, attorney Karrin Robson, who also has Trump's support. 'There's a difference between being endorsed by Mr. Trump and being endorsed by President Trump (and) having his personal cell,' Biggs said. 'And we have a kind of mutual respect,' he said, adding their friendship goes beyond Congress. During Trump's first administration, Biggs said Trump invited him 'to go sit in this box (at) the World Series,' but 'that's not the highlight of knowing' the president. Biggs also served on the Latter-day Saints for Trump committee during the 2024 election. Before bringing Biggs up to the stage, Kirk spoke about the need to 'remember.' 'The Bible says over and over, remember, remember, remember ... because remembering leads towards constructive action,' Kirk said. Kirk reminded the audience that the very first Trump rally took place in Phoenix. This milestone helped cement the term 'MAGA' into the mainstream conversation. From that rally through the last several election cycles, Kirk said Trump 'was tested' before he finally won a second term in 2024. 'What started here in Arizona 10 years ago is still continuing,' Kirk said of the initial rally. Diane Anderson, the president of the Leisure World Republican Club in Mesa, Ariz., was one of the thousands of people to attend the first rally at the Phoenix Convention Center in 2015. 'We stood outside for hours. It was so hot,' Anderson said. The venue didn't have any chairs set up so they stood close to the stage. 'There were speakers, and when Donald Trump came on ... I thought that he was rude,' she said, laughing. But after he spoke about shutting down the southern border, she said she was all in and has been a staunch supporter ever since. A decade later, now at Biggs' rally, Anderson said she thinks Turning Point Action is revitalizing the Republican Party. 'They're not turning the government around but they're changing minds of the young people. .. And that's what we need.' Anderson said she considers Biggs 'a dear personal friend' of hers and thinks this election an important one. Arizona has 300,000 more registered Republican than Democratic voters and Trump won this swing state by 5.5% last year. 'They call us a red state. How can we be a red state with a Democrat governor, a Democrat secretary of state, a Democrat attorney general, and our legislature, (which) is red just by a hair,' she said.
Bloomberg
28-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Balance of Power: Early Edition 5/28/2025
On the early edition of Balance of Power, Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz discuss Elon Musks comments about President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill. On today's show, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida, Bloomberg Intelligence Financials Analyst Ben Elliott, Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis, Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress Senior Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Bloomberg's Enda Curran. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WWE Fans Let Ron DeSantis Know Exactly How They Feel
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received a decidedly frosty reception from the crowd at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event in Tampa, multiple videos showed. Jeers and the chant of 'you suck' broke out among some of the audience as the Republican stepped close to the ring. Advertisement The moment was captured by some in the crowd and shared on social media, fromvariousangles. WWE Saturday Night's Main Event at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. WWE via Getty Images It's unclear exactly why DeSantis was booed. DeSantis' second and final term as governor of the Sunshine State will end in January 2027. He has tipped his wife, Casey DeSantis, as his successor. President Donald Trump, however, has backed Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for the role, the election for which will be contested next fall. Trump endorsed DeSantis in his 2018 campaign, with DeSantis then taking on Trump in the 2024 primaries. Trump won and DeSantis then endorsed his former rival in the general. Related...
