Parental rights and public safety define Byron Donalds’ bid for Florida governor
The campaign for Florida’s next governor took a significant turn this week as Congressman Byron Donalds focused on two core pillars of his platform: family-centered technology policy and law enforcement.
Donalds signed the Moms for Liberty ‘Safety in AI Education Pledge,’ while simultaneously securing a key endorsement from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Together, these developments highlight a campaign strategy built on a “parent-first” and “law-and-order” approach to leading the state.
The cornerstone of this week’s announcements was Donalds’ commitment to the Moms for Liberty pledge, which calls for strict guardrails and parental oversight as artificial intelligence becomes more common in Florida classrooms.
Donalds, a father of three, argued that while technology is evolving rapidly, the role of parents as the primary protectors of their children remains constant.
The pledge specifically demands transparency in how AI tools are used, robust data protections for students, and a guarantee that technology will serve as a classroom aid rather than an unaccountable authority over children’s education.
“I am excited to work with Moms for Liberty on this,” said Byron Donalds. “Classrooms are changing with evolving technology; one thing that hasn’t changed is parents being the first line of defense for their children. As a father, I know this firsthand, and we have a responsibility to make sure children are protected.”Adding weight to his campaign’s momentum, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri officially endorsed Donalds for Governor, becoming the 36th Florida sheriff to do so. Gualtieri’s support is seen as a major win, as he represents one of the state’s largest counties and is a recognized leader in Florida law enforcement circles.
Gualtieri noted that Florida’s crime rates are at an all-time low and argued that keeping the state safe requires a leader who is vocal in their support of police and strict on crime.
The dual focus on education safety and public security comes as Donalds continues to dominate in early polling and fundraising.