History of Byron Donalds in Timeline

Byron Donalds is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since 2021. A Republican, he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. His background also includes work as a financial analyst. Donalds' congressional district encompasses a significant portion of Southwest Florida.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 28, 1978: Byron Donalds Born

On October 28, 1978, Byron Lowell Donalds was born. He is an American politician and financial analyst.

Others born on this day/year

1983: District Creation

In 1983, Florida's 19th congressional district was created.

1993: District Renumbering

From 1993, Florida's 19th congressional district was the 14th district.

1993: Due Process

On May 5, 2025, Byron Donalds appeared on Meet the Press, where he made a false statement regarding due process, and as emphasized as recently as 1993 by Justice Antonin Scalia in the Supreme Court case of Reno v. Flores.

1996: Graduated from Nazareth Regional High School

In 1996, Byron Donalds graduated from Nazareth Regional High School in East Flatbush.

1997: Charged with Marijuana Possession

In 1997, Byron Donalds was charged with marijuana possession, but the charges were dropped as part of a pre-trial diversion program, and he was fined $150.

June 15, 1999: Married Bisa Hall

On June 15, 1999, Byron Donalds married Bisa Hall.

2000: Pleaded No Contest to Felony Theft Charge

In 2000, Byron Donalds pleaded no contest to a felony theft charge for allegedly attempting to defraud a bank, but his record was later sealed and expunged.

2002: Divorced Bisa Hall

In 2002, Byron Donalds and Bisa Hall divorced.

2002: Graduation from Florida State University

In 2002, Byron Donalds earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University.

2002: Graduated from FSU

In 2002, Byron Donalds graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and marketing.

2002: Vote to Repeal Military Force Authorization

In June 2021, Donalds voted to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

March 15, 2003: Married Erika Lees

On March 15, 2003, Byron Donalds married Erika Lees. They have three sons.

2003: Began Career at TIB Bank

In 2003, Byron Donalds began his professional career as a credit analyst at TIB Bank.

2004: Promoted to Senior Credit Analyst

In 2004, Byron Donalds was promoted to senior credit analyst at TIB Bank.

2007: Position at CMG Surety LLC

In 2007, Byron Donalds left TIB Bank and took a position as a portfolio manager at CMG Surety LLC.

2010: Joined the Republican Party

In 2010, Byron Donalds left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party.

2012: Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Byron Donalds was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 19th congressional district, finishing fifth of six candidates.

2013: District Renumbering

Since 2013, Florida's 19th congressional district is the 19th district.

2014: Considered Running for U.S. House

In 2014, Byron Donalds was reported as a likely candidate for the U.S. House in Florida's 19th congressional district after Trey Radel resigned, but did not run.

2015: Joined Wells Fargo Advisors

In 2015, Byron Donalds joined Wells Fargo Advisors as a Financial Advisor.

2016: Elected to Florida House of Representatives

In 2016, Byron Donalds was elected to the Florida House of Representatives.

August 2020: Anonymous Text Messages

In August 2020, anonymous text messages were sent to constituents in the 19th district claiming that Donalds was dropping out of the race, which he later clarified via tweet was false.

2020: Elected to Congress

In 2020, Byron Donalds was elected to the U.S. Congress, defeating Democratic nominee Cindy Banyai.

2020: Objected to Certification of Electors in 2020 presidential election.

In January 2021, Donalds objected to the certification of electors in the 2020 presidential election.

2020: Presidential Election

In January 2021, Donalds objected to the certification of electors in the 2020 presidential election.

2020: Identified as a participant in the "Freedom Force"

In late 2020, Byron Donalds was identified as a participant in the "Freedom Force", a group of incoming House Republicans.

January 3, 2021: Swearing-in to Congress

On January 3, 2021, Byron Donalds was sworn into the U.S. Congress, becoming the sixth person to represent Florida's 19th congressional district since its creation in 1983.

January 2021: Objected to Certification of Electors

In January 2021, Byron Donalds voted to object to the certification of electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania in the 2020 presidential election.

June 2021: Voted to Repeal Military Force Authorization

In June 2021, Byron Donalds was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

2022: Voted Against Honoring our PACT Act

In 2022, Byron Donalds voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service.

January 3, 2023: Received Vote for Speaker of the House

On January 3, 2023, Byron Donalds received one vote in the 118th Congress's first election for Speaker of the House, from Chip Roy.

January 2023: Nominated for Speaker of the House

In January 2023, Byron Donalds was nominated for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives during the fourth through 11th rounds of voting.

July 2023: Repeated Claim about Joe Biden's Legitimacy

In July 2023, Byron Donalds repeated his claim that Joe Biden was not the legitimate president of the United States in a Vanity Fair interview.

October 2023: Candidate for Speaker of the House

In October 2023, Byron Donalds was a candidate for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

2023: Voted to Provide Support to Israel

In 2023, Byron Donalds voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

2023: Vote on Removing Troops from Syria

In 2023, Byron Donalds was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

2023: Voted Against Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 2023, Byron Donalds was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.

March 2024: Signed Letter Opposing EATS Act

In March 2024, Byron Donalds was one of ten House Republicans who signed a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2024 farm bill.

June 2024: Political Outreach Event

In June 2024, Byron Donalds participated in a political outreach event and shared his opinions about the Jim Crow era.

2024: Attorney Consulted by PolitiFact

In 2024, an attorney consulted by the fact-checking site PolitiFact stated that Byron Donalds would not have been able to get his record expunged if the state considered him a convicted felon.