Byron Donalds
Running mate: Bryan Avila
About the candidate
Party: Republican Party
Clemency and restoration of rights
During a House committee discussion of Amendment 4 implementation, Donalds said: “The clemency process as it existed in the state of Florida has been a joke.” Source: News Service of Florida / FOX 35, March 19, 2019. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/critics-blast-house-felons-rights-plan
Court debt and voting eligibility
Public record: Byron Donalds voted yes on final House passage of CS/SB 7066 on May 3, 2019. The bill defined completion of sentence under Amendment 4 to include fines, fees and restitution. It passed the House 67 to 42. Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/7066/Vote/HouseVote_s07066e1372.PDF; https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/7066
Reentry and economic opportunity
Donalds said: “Now Florida does have laws around diversion, being able to seal records, and yes, those are things that were afforded to me.” Source: Jim DeFede, CBS News Miami, Interview March 2, 2026; updated March 8, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/full-interview-cbs-news-miami-jim-defede-byron-donalds/ Public record: Byron Donalds voted yes on CS/HB 7125 (2019), Administration of Justice, on May 3, 2019. The bill changed theft thresholds, driving-while-suspended penalties and expunction eligibility. It passed the House 110 to 0. Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/7125/Vote/HouseVote_h07125c1367.PDF; https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/7125
Second chances and public safety
During debate on the felony-theft threshold, Donalds said: “The question is, at what point are you going to be branded a felon for the rest of your life?” Source: Shawn Mulcahy, WFSU, April 29, 2019. https://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2019-04-29/criminal-justice-reform-clears-florida-house In an interview with Abby Phillip, Donalds said: “I'm a product of second chances. I had an ability to turn my life around and I made the most of it. And I would tell that to anybody that's made a mistake, you have an opportunity to walk away from that mistake and do better going forward. And so my story is indicative of that.” Source: CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, May 23, 2024; about 22:15:01. https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/cnap/date/2024-05-23/segment/01