Byron Donalds discusses Florida governor campaign and education policy in Miami interview

Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for Florida governor, spoke in a wide-ranging interview on CBS News Miami's Jim DeFede show Facing South Florida. He discussed his campaign progress, education policy, and the future of data centers in the state, according to CBS News Miami.

Donalds highlighted his decision to feature Governor Ron DeSantis in his television commercials and expressed optimism about the campaign's progress. He said the campaign has been extensive across Florida and that talking to voters has been rewarding as election day approaches.

During the interview, CBS Miami also addressed questions about Donalds' wife, Erika Donalds, and her business involvement with charter schools in Florida. The Miami Herald had published an investigation revealing that her companies make millions managing charter schools funded by tax dollars.

Donalds stated that Erika Donalds currently has no business involvement with charter schools and will not have such involvement going forward. However, CBS Miami noted the Herald's findings indicating ongoing business relationships.

The campaign clarified that Optima Management Services, associated with Erika Donalds, ended contracts for managing brick-and-mortar charter schools, which have transitioned to self-management. Nonetheless, OptimaEd continues to provide virtual instruction through Optima Academy Online and a contract with Optima Classical Academy, a public virtual charter school.

CBS News Miami taped the interview on Wednesday, and the investigation by the Miami Herald was published the following day, highlighting the ongoing discussion about education funding and business ties in Florida's charter school sector.