Byron Donalds

A Department of Justice spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that Republican Representative Byron Donalds is not under investigation after James Fishback, his rival in the Florida governor primary, claimed an investigation into Representative Cory Mills has expanded to Donalds as well.

The spokesperson told Newsweek on Friday, "A law enforcement official confirms this is absolutely false.”

Fishback made the allegations in a lengthy post on X as the Republican primary race continues. Donalds remains the leading candidate in the contest, with Fishback attempting to gain ground against the Trump-backed congressman.

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Gates McGavick, a spokesperson for Donalds, also denied the allegations in a statement to Newsweek.

"Completely false. We will not be distracted by this baseless and defamatory sideshow, and neither should you," he said.

Fishback Claims About Byron Donalds: What To Know

As previously reported by Newsweek, Mills, another Florida Republican, has faced a House Ethics Committee investigation. The investigation, which began in November, focuses on accusations against the congressman of financial and sexual misconduct. The committee has not released its findings or recommended any disciplinary action.

In his post, Fishback claimed that a whistleblower who approached his campaign told him a federal investigation involving Mills had expanded to include Donalds.

Fishback wrote that the alleged investigation related to claims involving travel by Donalds and Mills to the MGM National Harbor resort in Maryland in 2024. He alleged prosecutors were examining two dates in question, May 17 and November 19.

"My legal team has spent weeks attempting to independently verify this investigation, and we have done just that," Fishback wrote.

He also claimed his campaign had received documents and other materials from the whistleblower, including what he described as text messages involving Mills. Fishback shared documents alongside his post, but the materials have not been independently authenticated.

In his post, Fishback acknowledged that Donalds and Mills are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

"Let me be crystal clear: Our Constitution entitles Congressmen Mills and Donalds to the presumption of innocence," Fishback wrote. "But while they deserve that presumption, voters deserve transparency."

Fishback also claimed he had given Donalds an opportunity to address the allegations publicly, writing, "I specifically gave Congressman Donalds the opportunity to make the fact he is under investigation public. But he chose not to."

Fishback said he would not use the allegations in campaign advertising, writing that the issue was about transparency rather than politics.

"This is the first and last time I will discuss this publicly," Fishback wrote. "My campaign will not run any television ads or mailers detailing any of this because this is not political. It's about transparency for Florida voters."

Donalds Remains the Republican Frontrunner

Donalds remains the clear favorite in the Republican primary, according to recent polling. Donalds entered the race with the endorsement of President Donald Trump and has built significant support among Republican voters. Fishback, a conservative activist and businessman, has positioned himself as an alternative candidate seeking to challenge Donalds from the right.

The gubernatorial race has become one of the most closely watched Republican contests in Florida as candidates compete to replace Governor Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited. Also running in the primary are Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, among several other lesser-known candidates.

The latest survey from Quantus Insights showed Donalds with a significant lead over his Republican rivals. Fifty percent of respondents said they would back Donalds, compared to 16 percent for Collins, 12 percent for Fishback and 4 percent for Renner. Fourteen percent were undecided.

It surveyed 635 likely voters from July 27-29, 2026.

Another poll from The Tyson Group, first reported by Florida Voice News, showed Donalds in the lead with 48 percent, compared to Collins’ 9 percent, Fishback’s 8 percent and Renner’s 4 percent. Twenty-six percent were undecided in that poll. It surveyed 600 likely voters from July 8-11, 2026.

Prediction markets also favored Donalds, who had a 97 percent chance of victory on Kalshi and a 98 percent chance on Polymarket as of Friday morning.

Prediction markets allow traders to buy and sell contracts tied to political outcomes and current events, aggregating real‑money wagers into probability estimates. Prices fluctuate as traders react to polling, fundraising, candidate developments and broader political trends. They measure trader sentiment at a given moment but do not always accurately predict the future.