Billionaire GOP donor Ken Griffin is pouring $10 million into the campaign of Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, according to two people familiar with the donation who spoke to NBC News.
Donalds, a U.S. congressman from Florida’s 19th district, is the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination for governor. The infusion of cash from Griffin, one of the most prominent conservative donors in the country, solidifies Donalds’ financial firepower early in the race.
Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, a global hedge fund, has a history of backing GOP candidates and causes. His $10 million contribution is among the largest individual donations to a state-level candidate this cycle.
The donation underscores the high stakes in Florida’s gubernatorial election, which is expected to be closely watched nationally. Donalds, a rising star in the party, has positioned himself as a staunch conservative aligned with former President Donald Trump.
Griffin’s support could also signal shifting dynamics within the GOP, as donors consolidate behind a candidate seen as electable and ideologically pure. The Donalds campaign did not immediately comment on the donation.
Florida’s Republican primary is still months away, but Donalds already holds a significant advantage in fundraising and name recognition. His opponents, if any, will face an uphill battle against a well-funded machine.