As Florida governor’s race tightens, Ken Griffin gives another $5 million to Donalds

Miami billionaire Ken Griffin has contributed another $5 million to a PAC for Republican candidate Byron Donalds, bringing his total support for Donalds’ bid for Florida governor to $15 million as the Nov. 3 election approaches.

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The latest donation from the Citadel hedge fund founder comes as polls show the race between Donalds and Democratic candidate David Jolly 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. The two-point difference is within the poll’s margin of error.

Griffin’s financial backing makes him one of the most consequential donors supporting the Naples Republican, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Griffin made the $5 million according to the political committee’s website, which lists its campaign contributions. Corporate accountability reporter Jason Garcia first reported the donation. In July, the Miami Herald reported Griffin gave the PAC $10 million.

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.

Donalds has campaigned on conservative priorities, including school choice and policies designed to attract businesses to Florida. Those priorities overlap with issues Griffin and his investment firm have pursued in Tallahassee.

“The people of Florida deserve leaders who wake up every day thinking about how to make their lives better — safer streets, stronger schools and the freedom to build a future for their families,” Griffin told the Miami Herald through a spokesperson.

“Byron Donalds cares deeply about the families and communities that make Florida the greatest state in the nation, and I am proud to support him as our next governor. Floridians will be well served by his leadership.”

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Griffin’s political spending extends well beyond the governor’s race.

The Miami Herald has reported that 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 and $1 million to Attorney General James Uthmeier’s political committee.

Griffin also contributed $2.5 million to a super PAC supporting U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody’s re-election campaign.

Griffin’s contributions highlight the role wealthy donors play in Florida politics, where political committees can raise substantial sums to support candidates and causes. Such spending can help finance advertising, voter outreach and other campaign activities, giving major donors a significant financial presence in elections.

The $15 million total represents Griffin’s reported support for Donalds’ political operation, not necessarily money contributed directly to the candidate’s campaign account.

Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.

Griffin is not the only South Florida billionaire contributing to Donalds’ campaign. Miami Dolphins owner and Palm Beach developer Stephen Ross donated $1 million to Friends of Byron Donalds PAC in September.

Out-of-town billionaires have also jumped in. Jeff Yass, co-founder and managing director of the Philadelphia-based trading and technology firm Susquehanna International Group and a major investor in TikTok, gave Donalds’ PAC $7 million in March, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida has donated a total of $5 million.

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This story was originally published October 24, 2026 at 2:11 PM.