Donald Trump returned to Florida to campaign alongside Byron Donalds as the Republican gubernatorial nominee faced a tightening race against Democrat David Jolly.
Trump was scheduled to appear at a rally on October 23 at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena in Fort Myers. The event came less than two weeks before the November 3 general election and formed part of Trump’s broader push for Republican candidates during the 2026 midterms.
Donalds scaled back Trump references, but now the president is back onstage with him
The Trump rally in Florida placed fresh attention on Donalds’ campaign as he sought to succeed outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds had represented Florida in the U.S. House since 2021. Jolly, his Democratic opponent, previously served in Congress from 2014 to 2017.
The race had become more competitive as Election Day approached. According to the supplied source, the Cook Political Report recently shifted the contest from “Likely R” to “Lean R.” Trump planned to speak at around 2 p.m. at Alico Arena, which holds 4,633 people, including 300 standing-only spots. Doors were set to open at 10:30 a.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration also issued temporary airspace restrictions around Southwest Florida International Airport ahead of Trump’s expected arrival aboard Air Force One.
Donald Trump traveled from Washington, D.C., as part of an aggressive campaign schedule supporting Republican candidates across the country. He also confirmed that he and the first lady planned to vote early in Florida the following day.
“I think we’re voting tomorrow in Florida,” Trump told reporters outside the White House.
The Fort Myers appearance gave Byron Donalds a high-profile campaign event at a critical moment in the Florida governor race. It also underscored Trump’s continued involvement in Republican midterm campaigning as the election entered its final stretch.
The supplied source did not say that Donalds had previously reduced references to Trump in his campaign, nor did it describe a deliberate strategy to distance himself from the president.
