👮 Who: Sheriff Eric Aden, Byron Donalds, Florida Sheriffs, campaign leadership
🗳️ What: Aden endorses Donalds in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary
📅 When: January 28, 2026
📍 Where: Okaloosa County and statewide Florida race
🔥 Why: To signal law enforcement confidence and strengthen Donalds’ public safety platform
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden has officially thrown his support behind U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida’s high-stakes Republican gubernatorial primary, adding local law enforcement weight to Donalds’ rapidly growing statewide coalition, according to an article written by Phil Ammann.
Aden joins Madison County Sheriff David Harper as the latest law enforcement leader to endorse Donalds, pushing the candidate’s total sheriff endorsements to 35 statewide. The campaign now claims support from a majority of Florida’s elected sheriffs, representing more than half of the state’s 67 counties.
The endorsements continue a fast-moving momentum surge for Donalds over the past two weeks. Earlier this week, the campaign announced backing from Calhoun County Sheriff Michael Bryant, Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith, Jefferson County Sheriff Mac McNeill, and Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold. High-profile sheriffs, including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, also signed on last week.
With Aden’s endorsement, Donalds strengthens his footprint in Northwest Florida — a region that has historically played a key role in Republican primaries. Political analysts say sheriffs often bring more than symbolic support, providing grassroots influence, community credibility, and voter trust in rural and suburban counties.
Donalds’ growing coalition also includes President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, U.S. House leadership, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation, and roughly 75% of the Republican caucus in the Florida House, according to campaign figures.
Campaign leadership has framed the sheriff endorsements as validation of Donald’s law-and-order platform. Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds Campaign, said the backing reflects confidence in Donalds’ commitment to public safety, border enforcement, and cooperation with federal authorities.
The endorsement surge comes as Donalds reports strong fundraising numbers and favorable internal polling that show him leading Republican primary opponents and outperforming potential Democratic challengers.
While qualifying deadlines and primary voting remain months away, Aden’s endorsement positions Donalds as the clear front-runner in the GOP field — particularly in Northwest Florida, where law enforcement support carries significant political influence.
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St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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