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. Affiliated with the Republican Party, he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. Before entering politics, Donalds worked as a financial analyst. His 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 later became a politician and financial analyst.

Others born on this day/year

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; the charges were later 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. The couple divorced in 2002.

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: Graduated from Florida State University

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

March 15, 2003: Married Erika Lees

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

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: Joined CMG Surety LLC

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

2010: Joined Republican Party

In 2010, Byron Donalds left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party after becoming involved in the Tea Party movement.

2012: Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Byron Donalds ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 19th congressional district and finished fifth out of six candidates.

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 ultimately 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 messages claiming Donalds dropping out of race

In August 2020, anonymous text messages were sent out to constituents in the 19th district claiming that Byron Donalds was dropping out of the race. Donalds clarified via tweet that he was not dropping out and called the messages "illegal".

2020: Elected to Congress

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

January 3, 2021: Sworn into U.S. House of Representatives

On January 3, 2021, Byron Donalds was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida's 19th congressional district.

January 2021: Voted to Object 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.

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. Donalds voted for Kevin McCarthy on the first two ballots, then for Jim Jordan on the third.

January 2023: Nominated for Speaker of the House

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

July 2023: Claimed Joe Biden was not legitimate president

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

August 10, 2023: Questioner at Hearing on Hurricane Ian Recovery

On August 10, 2023, Byron Donalds questioned government agencies during a U.S. House Subcommittee hearing on the federal government's response to Hurricane Ian in 2022, leading to discoveries of regulatory hurdles and miscommunication hindering recovery efforts.