Rapper Nicki Minaj endorsed Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for Florida governor, urging her fans to back the Trump-aligned candidate in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. The endorsement adds to Donalds' coalition of campaign supporters ahead of the Nov. 3 general election only a week away.

Minaj posted on X on Sunday praising Byron Donalds, as well as Michigan's Republican gubernatorial candidate John James, as "exceptionally engaging speakers" and "great well rounded guys." If elected, both Donalds and James would make history as the first ever black governors of their respective states.

Erika Donalds, wife of Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, publicly thanked Nicki Minaj in an X post for her ongoing support as he faces Democrat David Jolly. She urged Florida supporters to vote early.

Campaign officials noted that the crossover appeal helps energize younger voters in a state where Republicans have expanded their coalition in the last decade.

Donalds has represented Florida's 19th congressional district in the U.S. House since 2021. Prior to that, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020, where he focused on fiscal conservatism and criminal justice reform. Donalds gained prominence as a vocal supporter of former President Trump and conservative policies on immigration, education, and energy.

Minaj has shifted toward greater alignment with the Republican Party in recent years, including appearances with President Donald Trump. She previously backed Trump in the 2024 presidential race and has criticized Democratic positions on issues ranging from public health mandates to cultural issues. Her endorsement of Donalds fits an ongoing pattern of GOP support, as she called on her fans, known as the Barbz, to support him.

Recent polling averages indicate Donalds holds a clear advantage, a contrast to the toss-up narratives suggested by Democrats. Aggregators show Donalds leading by roughly 4 to 5 points. PollCheck’s average gives Donalds 48.6 percent to Jolly’s 44.0 percent. PollingSource reports 49.9 percent to 44.1 percent, a Republican edge of 5.8 points. On Point Politics places the margin at 4.7 points for Donalds. Individual surveys reinforce the trend. Stetson University showed Donalds ahead 52 percent to 41 percent. ActiVote reported 52 percent to 48 percent, while co/efficient had Donalds at 49 percent and Jolly at 40 percent.

Forecast models similarly assign Donalds strong win probabilities. PollCheck gives him an 88 percent chance of victory. Other projections range from 72 percent to 80 percent. These figures come as early voting proceeds and Donalds emphasizes conservative policies on affordability, insurance reform, and education to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Jolly, a self-styled moderate, has sought to broaden his appeal among independents. The polling data, however, points to a Republican-leaning contest rather than the even matchup some Democratic strategists have tried to portray. Minaj's involvement is a key example of efforts by Republicans to reach out to broader parts of the electorate ahead of the approaching midterms.