Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds delivers remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds delivers remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds delivers remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. Looking on, from left, state Rep. Mike Haridopolos, Mrs. Erika Donalds and Florida House majority leader Tyler Sirois. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds greets former Florida House speaker and U.S. congressman Tom Feeney, right, with state Rep. Mike Haridopolos, left, during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds jokes with his spouse, Mrs. Erika Donalds, while delivering remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds delivers remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. Looking on, Florida House majority leader Tyler Sirois. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds delivers remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds tours the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Orlando, Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds chats with employee Max Kuehn while touring the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Orlando, Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Show Caption
1 of 8
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds delivers remarks on the future of Florida’s space industry during a visit to the Florida Space Institute Exolith Lab in Oviedo, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2026. The lab creates simulated planetary geological materials for research and education use worldwide. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)