Byron Donalds names Bryan Ávila as his pick for Florida lieutenant governor

MIAMI — State Sen. Bryan Ávila will be on the ballot alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds as his pick for lieutenant governor.

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The 42-year-old veteran and Hialeah lawmaker joins Donalds with a shared goal of keeping Florida red in November.

Ávila has touted himself as the “most conservative member of the Legislature” and has served as a captain in the Florida Army National Guard for nearly a decade.

Donalds says that military service is among the reasons he selected Ávila, pointing to what he described as Ávila’s record as a warrior for the country and for conservative values.

The announcement was made at Miami’s Freedom Tower — a fitting backdrop for Ávila, whose parents fled communist Cuba.

The historic tower now serves as a museum, but it was once used to process Cuban refugees escaping communist rule.

“My parents fled communist Cuba and left behind home and business. They knew what happens when government takes over. Socialism turns opportunity into misery,” Ávila said. “I’m honored to be in Freedom Tower. This is the peak of freedom.”

Donalds echoed that message as he introduced Ávila as his choice for lieutenant governor.

Both Donalds and Ávila also took aim at their Democratic opponents, David Jolly and his lieutenant governor running mate, Gwen Graham, accusing them of pushing socialist ideals.

Jolly responded almost immediately after the announcement, congratulating Ávila while arguing that the race would ultimately be about Donalds’ relationship with President Donald Trump.

“I wish him well. But, let’s be honest: this race won’t come down to Byron Donalds’ relationship with Avila, it will come down to Byron’s relationship with Donald Trump,” Jolly said in a statement.

In a post on X Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis also called Avila “a good dude” and stated that he “appreciated his service in the National Guard.”

Miami-Dade County went for Trump in the 2024 presidential election and for DeSantis in the 2022 gubernatorial race.

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But the county remains a key battleground heading into November, amid debates over immigration enforcement and affordability.

The selection of Ávila also gives the Republican ticket a running mate with deep ties to South Florida’s Hispanic community.

State Rep. Hillary Cassel, a Republican representing Broward County’s House District 101, pointed to Ávila’s ability to connect with Spanish-speaking voters, noting that Spanish is the most widely spoken language other than English in Florida.

Florida Republicans are counting on the diverse and historic ticket to help maintain GOP control of the governor’s mansion.

Miami-Dade GOP Chairman Kevin Cooper said Ávila’s selection should not be viewed simply as a response to Donalds’ performance in Miami during the Republican primary.

“People want to say, ‘Oh, is Byron not doing well in Miami, therefore he picked a Miami running mate?’ No,” Cooper said. “I think this is an indication of the importance of Miami and elevating Miami on the statewide level.”

The ticket also includes racial and ethnic diversity that Republicans say reflects Florida’s electorate.

When asked by Local 10’s Christina Vazquez about the diversity of the ticket, former Miami-Dade Mayor and Republican congressional candidate Daniella Rizo said the campaign does not intend to make diversity the centerpiece of its message.

“Totally, totally, it is. We don’t lead with that. We think that people’s accomplishments and character speak for themselves, and I think this ticket does,” Rizo said.

The campaign comes as Republicans look to consolidate support in Miami-Dade and other parts of South Florida while Democrats continue to focus on issues including affordability and what they describe as potential voter fatigue with President Donald Trump.

Donalds did not clear 50% of the statewide Republican vote in the primary, which is why political analysts say locking in Miami-Dade’s engaged Republican Hispanic vote could be key to winning the statewide race in November.

With 1.28 million registered voters, Miami-Dade is Florida’s most populous county — making its vote count significant in a statewide race.

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