Miami — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced Tuesday that he has chosen state Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, as his running mate in the race for Florida governor. If the Republican ticket prevails in November, Avila would become lieutenant governor.
Background and resume
Avila, 42, served four terms in the Florida House after first winning election in 2014 and moved to the state Senate in 2022. He holds degrees from the University of Miami and earned master’s degrees in criminal justice and public administration from Florida International University. Avila also serves as a captain in the Florida National Guard and is dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Doral College, a private institution that opened in 2012.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 42 |
| Legislative service | Florida House (elected 2014), Florida Senate (elected 2022) |
| Education | University of Miami; master’s degrees from Florida International University |
| Other roles | Florida National Guard captain; dean at Doral College |
Campaign framing and contrast
Donalds framed the selection by emphasizing Avila’s personal story as the son of Cuban immigrants who fled the island’s communist government. That narrative was used to draw a sharp contrast with the Democratic ticket of former U.S. Rep. David Jolly and his running mate, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham.
“David Jolly and Gwen Graham answer to the Democratic Socialists of America; we answer to the people of Florida,”
The Republican campaign has sought to link Jolly and Graham to broader progressive movements, pointing to the Democratic Senate nominee's association with activists it describes as outside the mainstream. Donalds delivered his remarks at an event in Miami’s Freedom Tower, a building long celebrated by Cuban exiles for its role in assisting arriving refugees.
Local and statewide implications
Avila’s selection adds geographic balance to the ticket, bringing a Miami-area lawmaker with ties to South Florida’s Cuban-American community. His military service and academic role in criminal justice may appeal to voters focused on public safety and veterans’ issues.
The pick also signals Republicans’ continued effort to position themselves as defenders of anti-communist, immigrant success stories — a messaging approach that targets key constituencies in several competitive regions across the state.
What we know about the campaign roles
Donalds described Avila as a "proven warrior" who can join the statewide fight if elected. The campaign has not released a full schedule tying the lieutenant governor candidate to specific policy portfolios, though Avila’s background suggests potential emphasis on law enforcement, criminal justice education and veterans’ affairs.
- Avila was born in Hialeah and educated in South Florida.
- He has prior legislative experience spanning the Florida House and Senate.
- He serves in the Florida National Guard and holds academic leadership duties.
Political strategists will watch how the selection affects turnout among Cuban-American voters and other Hispanic communities in South Florida, as well as its resonance in swing regions where nationalized political narratives often influence local choices.
Next steps and the broader race
The Donalds-Avila ticket will face the Democratic nominees in the general election in November. David Jolly paired with Gwen Graham on the Democratic side; both campaigns have publicly rejected labels tied to democratic socialist organizations despite Republican efforts to associate them with such groups.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the Republican campaign as it moves from the primary phase into the general election, consolidating its leadership team and sharpening contrasts with its opponents. Campaign events, policy rollouts and debates in coming weeks will test whether Avila’s experience and background translate into broader appeal across Florida’s diverse electorate.
Reporting from Miami and Tallahassee contributed to this story.
