U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds gets recognition from FAMU interim President Beard

As U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has kept quiet on running for governor of Florida , his close ally U.S. President Donald Trump says he would fully endorse him if he enters the 2026 race.

Amid the ascendancy of both Donalds and " The Donald " so far this year, Florida A&M University recently acknowledged the Naples Republican in its own way.

FAMU's interim President Timothy Beard presented Donalds, 46, with the 2025 FAMU Impact Award last month at the Black Conservative Federation's Legacy of Freedom Ball in Washington, D.C.

"They say at FAMU, you can get anywhere from here, and this young man is well on his way – that's Congressman Byron Donalds," Beard said at the event. "Mr. Donalds is changing the world." 

The Black Conservative Foundation is a national network of Republican activists who work toward expanding the Black conservative movement, and the January event was meant to commemorate the 60th presidential inauguration while also honoring Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance after their victory in the election.

While presenting a plaque to Donalds – a member of the federation's Board of Directors – Beard, who is a registered Republican, said the award reads: "In honor of your service to FAMU, the state of Florida and the nation; you are indeed a shining example of the impact of the Rattler nation."

"I am proud to be a (FAMU) Rattler," Donalds commented in a Jan. 25 Instagram post about the award. "We are changing Florida for the better. We are changing the nation for the better. And our job's not done yet."

Donalds, a Brooklyn, New York native , was enrolled at FAMU from 1996 to 1999 but did not graduate. He instead transferred to Florida State University , where he received his bachelor's degree in finance and marketing in 2002.

After graduating, he worked at TIB Bank, CMG Life Services and Moran Wealth in Naples, where he currently resides with wife Erika Donalds – an FSU alumnus – and their three children.

Donalds' possible bid to become the state's next governor comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis is unable to run for the position  again since he is term-limited in January 2027.

While the latest poll from the  University of North Florida's Public Opinion Research Lab  (PORL) shows that Casey DeSantis – Florida's First Lady – came out on top of a list of potential gubernatorial candidates, a different poll shared by Trump  Monday from Victory Insights shows Donalds as the clear leader in a potential race. Other potential candidates for the 2026 race include Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

More: Will a DeSantis run again? Poll favors Florida governor's wife, Trump may favor this candidate

Donalds has been representing Florida's 19th Congressional District since 2021, including much of Southwest Florida. Prior to the role, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016.  

With ties to FAMU, Donalds is listed on the university's Government Relations website as one of its "Rattlers in Office."

Beard said in a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat Friday that he presented Donalds with the award last month to also "recognize his service as a congressman and his connection to FAMU as a former student and lifelong supporter."

"We look forward to continuing to engage with all members of our Rattlers in Congress," Beard said.

Tarah Jean is a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can reached at  tjean@tallahassee.com  and follow her on X:  @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU interim President Timothy Beard awards congressman Byron Donalds