Byron Donalds Draws Millions in Tech Cash as 68% of Floridians Oppose Local AI Data Centers
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 21
Byron Donalds Draws Millions in Tech Cash as 68% of Floridians Oppose Local AI Data Centers
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 21
Summary
$90 million-plus in fundraising has put Byron Donalds far ahead in Florida's GOP governor primary, with millions coming from tech, AI and data-center interests since he launched in February 2025.
At least four developers tied to Florida projects gave five- and six-figure sums, including $400,000 from Ferreira Construction and $250,000 from Phillips Infrastructure, even as local resistance helped kill Palm Beach County's 600-megawatt Project Tango.
Two rival AI super PACs also backed Donalds: Leading the Future funneled $3 million into a PAC buying his ads, while Public First spent more than $1 million on a broadcast spot.
Donalds has recently emphasized consumer and environmental protections, introducing the Protecting Ratepayers Act after earlier arguing Florida should lead on data centers rather than cede the industry to other states or countries.
The funding surge lands as data centers become a political liability in Florida: a new University of North Florida poll found 28% support and 68% opposition to building an AI data center locally.