As pro-democracy Floridians, we write to express alarm that Congressman Byron Donalds — the leading Republican candidate for governor — has demonstrated a troubling disregard for constitutional rights and honest governance, which should disqualify him from leading our state.
Troubling views on immigration, diversity
Last month, on a local radio program, Donalds repeated his opposition to more than a century of U.S. immigration that has made our country a multi-racial democracy whose diversity most regard as our strength. He denounced immigration, claiming: “You’re bringing an ideology into your country that does not comport with the culture of, in America’s case, Western civilization and the tolerance and respect we have for different nationalities, different religions.”
Yet Donalds’ own ideology shows a lack of respect for people of different nationalities and different religions. What could he possibly mean by immigrants “bringing an ideology” that does not comport with Western civilization? Are immigrants from East Asia, the Asian subcontinent, and the Middle East welcome — but only if they acknowledge the primacy of Western civilization? His incoherent confusion of race, ethnicity, and religion with ideology ignores a basic truth: Immigrants to America have come in all stripes of race, religion, ethnicity — and all stripes of ideology.
Undermining constitutional rights
Following protests in Minneapolis, Rep. Donalds declared, “ICE is under attack. DHS is under attack. Law and order is under attack. As Florida’s next governor, I won’t stand for it.” This came as thousands exercised their First Amendment rights to protest government actions, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both citizens.
When a candidate for governor declares he “won’t stand for” citizens exercising constitutional rights, he reveals fundamental contempt for democratic principles. What actions does he envision taking against protesters as governor?
A pattern of dishonesty
Donalds repeats the propaganda that immigration enforcement targets “the worst of the worst” criminals. Government data proves otherwise. Cato Institute’s analysis of ICE’s own data reveals that through fiscal year 2025, 73 percent booked into custody had no criminal conviction. Only five percent had a violent criminal conviction. Democracy requires leaders who tell the truth, even when politically inconvenient.
Dangerous views on due process
Donalds disagrees that undocumented immigrants have due process rights, claiming “there’s a broad, I think, belief, but not an accurate belief, that due process applies whether you’re an American citizen or you’re in the country illegally.”
This statement is constitutionally dangerous. The Supreme Court has consistently held that due process protections apply to all persons. A governor who rejects basic constitutional principles threatens every Floridian’s rights.
The stakes for Florida
Donalds has stated that as governor, he would “continue to have local law enforcement agents work with ICE agents to continue the crackdown” — even when enforcement sweeps up people with no criminal records and violates constitutional protections.
Democracy requires leaders who respect constitutional rights, tell voters the truth, and understand that protecting freedom is fundamental to law and order. Donalds has failed these tests.
Florida deserves a governor who will protect every Floridian’s rights — not one who views constitutional protections as obstacles and peaceful protest as something he “won’t stand for” — a fundamental constitutional right to be suppressed.
Jim Nathan is a longtime Fort Myers civic leader, former CEO of Lee Health and co-founder of Floridians for Democracy, a nonpartisan network of social-justice advocates who believe democracy in Florida should include everyone.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Anti-democratic rhetoric disqualifies Donalds as governor | Opinion
Reporting by Jim Nathan / Fort Myers News-Press
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