History of Byron Donalds in Timeline

Byron Donalds is an American politician and financial analyst currently serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since 2021. As a member of the Republican Party, he represents much of Southwest Florida in Congress.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 28, 1978: Byron Donalds' Birth

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

Others born on this day/year

1983: Creation of the 13th Congressional District

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

1993: Re-designation as 14th Congressional District

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

1996: Graduation from Nazareth Regional High School

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

1997: Marijuana Possession Charge

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

June 15, 1999: Marriage to Bisa Hall

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

2000: 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: Divorce from Bisa Hall

In 2002, Byron Donalds divorced Bisa Hall.

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: Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

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.

March 15, 2003: Marriage to Erika Lees

On March 15, 2003, Byron Donalds married Erika Lees. They have three sons and live in Naples, Florida.

2003: Started at TIB Bank

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

2004: Promotion at TIB Bank

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

2007: Joined CMG Surety LLC

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

2012: Unsuccessful Run for U.S. House

In 2012, Byron Donalds unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives.

2012: Candidacy for U.S. House

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: Re-designation as 19th Congressional District

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

2014: Considered Run 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 represent the 80th district in the Florida House of Representatives.

2016: Elected to Florida House

In 2016, Byron Donalds was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and during his tenure, he chaired the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.

August 2020: Anonymous Text Message Controversy

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

2020: Elected to Congress

In 2020, Byron Donalds was elected to Congress, defeating Cindy Banyai.

2020: End of Term in Florida House of Representatives

In 2020, Byron Donalds' term in the Florida House of Representatives ended.

2020: 2020 Presidential Election

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

2020: Objected to the 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.

2020: Identified as part of "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 in to Congress, becoming the sixth person to represent Florida's 19th congressional district since its creation in 1983.

January 2021: Objection to Electoral Certification

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

June 2021: Vote on Military Force Against Iraq Resolution

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.

2021: Became U.S. Representative

In 2021, Byron Donalds became the U.S. representative for Florida's 19th congressional district.

January 3, 2023: Speaker of the House Vote

On January 3, 2023, Byron Donalds received one vote in the 118th Congress's first election for Speaker of the House, from Chip Roy. Donalds voted for Kevin McCarthy on the first two ballots, then for Jim Jordan on the third.

January 2023: Nomination for Speakership

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

July 2023: Repeated Claim About Biden's Legitimacy

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

October 2023: Candidacy for Speaker of the House

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

2023: Vote on Support for Israel

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

2023: Vote on Removal of U.S. 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.