Byron Donalds Picks Miami Lawmaker Bryan Ávila as Running Mate

Republican Byron Donalds has selected Florida state Sen. Bryan Ávila of Hialeah as his running mate in the race for Florida governor. A running mate is the person who would serve as lieutenant governor if the ticket wins the election.

The announcement comes ahead of an event at Miami's Freedom Tower, a historic building known for welcoming Cuban refugees who fled to the United States decades ago.

Ávila is a state legislator representing an area near Miami. By choosing him, Donalds appears to be reaching out to South Florida voters, especially those with strong ties to Cuba and other communist countries.

Reports say Donalds is leaning into an anti-communist message with this pick. Anti-communist means being firmly against communism, a political and economic system many South Florida families experienced firsthand before leaving their home countries.

Even before the official announcement, buzz had been building about the choice. Buzz refers to growing public talk and excitement about upcoming news.

By naming a Hialeah lawmaker as his running mate, Donalds may be trying to strengthen his support among Miami-area voters ahead of the Florida governor's race.

The Freedom Tower location adds symbolic weight to the announcement, linking Donalds's campaign message to the region's strong anti-communist history.

Details about the full campaign platform, including other policy positions, have not been widely reported alongside this running mate news.