Key Takeaways
- • Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel, contributed another $5 million on Oct. 15 to Friends of Byron PAC supporting Republican Byron Donalds' Florida governor bid, bringing his total reported support to $15 million, according to the Miami Herald.
- • A University of North Florida poll shows Donalds at 49% and Democrat David Jolly at 47% among likely voters, a two-point gap within the margin of error as the Nov. 3 election approaches.
- • Griffin has contributed at least $22 million to Florida state election efforts this year, including $3 million to Republican state Senate campaigns, $3 million to state House campaigns, $1 million to Attorney General James Uthmeier's committee and $2.5 million to a super PAC backing U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody.
- • Other large donors to Donalds' PAC include Jeff Yass ($7 million in March) and Stephen Ross ($1 million in September), while the Seminole Tribe of Florida has given a total of $5 million.
Summary
Miami billionaire Ken Griffin has contributed another $5 million to a political committee supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, bringing his reported total support for the Florida governor's bid to $15 million ahead of the Nov. 3 election. According to the Miami Herald, the contribution was made to Friends of Byron PAC on Oct. 15, as listed on the committee's website. Corporate accountability reporter Jason Garcia first reported the donation. The Herald had previously reported in July that Griffin gave the PAC $10 million.
The donation comes as polling shows the race tightening more than expected. A University of North Florida poll released Thursday shows Donalds with 49% support and Democrat David Jolly with 47% among likely voters, a difference within the poll's margin of error. Donalds, a Naples Republican, has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis. Campaign priorities include school choice and policies intended to attract businesses to Florida, areas that overlap with issues Griffin and his firm have pursued in Tallahassee.
Griffin, who moved Citadel's headquarters to Miami in 2022 and is building a new company headquarters in Brickell, has become one of Florida's most influential Republican donors. The Herald has reported he has contributed at least $22 million to Florida state election efforts this year, including $3 million to Republican state Senate campaigns, $3 million to Republican state House campaigns, $1 million to Attorney General James Uthmeier's political committee and $2.5 million to a super PAC supporting U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody's re-election. In a statement provided through a spokesperson, Griffin said Floridians deserve leaders focused on safer streets, stronger schools and the freedom to build a future for families, and that he was proud to support Donalds.
The $15 million figure reflects reported support for Donalds' political operation rather than money contributed directly to his campaign account. Florida law limits direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to reporting requirements. Other major backers include Miami Dolphins owner and Palm Beach developer Stephen Ross, who gave $1 million to the PAC in September, and Jeff Yass, co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, who gave $7 million in March. The Seminole Tribe of Florida has donated a total of $5 million.
The donation comes as polling shows the race tightening more than expected. A University of North Florida poll released Thursday shows Donalds with 49% support and Democrat David Jolly with 47% among likely voters, a difference within the poll's margin of error. Donalds, a Naples Republican, has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis. Campaign priorities include school choice and policies intended to attract businesses to Florida, areas that overlap with issues Griffin and his firm have pursued in Tallahassee.
Griffin, who moved Citadel's headquarters to Miami in 2022 and is building a new company headquarters in Brickell, has become one of Florida's most influential Republican donors. The Herald has reported he has contributed at least $22 million to Florida state election efforts this year, including $3 million to Republican state Senate campaigns, $3 million to Republican state House campaigns, $1 million to Attorney General James Uthmeier's political committee and $2.5 million to a super PAC supporting U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody's re-election. In a statement provided through a spokesperson, Griffin said Floridians deserve leaders focused on safer streets, stronger schools and the freedom to build a future for families, and that he was proud to support Donalds.
The $15 million figure reflects reported support for Donalds' political operation rather than money contributed directly to his campaign account. Florida law limits direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to reporting requirements. Other major backers include Miami Dolphins owner and Palm Beach developer Stephen Ross, who gave $1 million to the PAC in September, and Jeff Yass, co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, who gave $7 million in March. The Seminole Tribe of Florida has donated a total of $5 million.
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