Congressman Donalds has been endorsed by President Donald Trump to run as Florida’s next governor. Because of his value-based policy positions, Congressman Donalds was invited to speak before he declared his intent to run for governor and prior to President Trump’s endorsement. Liberty Counsel and Liberty Counsel Action do not endorse political candidates, but they do address legal and policy issues relevant to their respective missions. 

Congressman Donalds worked in the finance industry for nearly two decades prior to public service. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016 and represented Hendry County and east Collier County in the State Capitol. During his tenure in the Florida House, Byron served as the PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee Chair during the 2018-2019 Legislative Session and served as the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee's Chairman 2019-2020 Legislative Session. Elected by the people of Southwest Florida to Congress in 2020 and subsequently in 2022, Congressman Donalds represents Florida's 19th Congressional District which encompasses parts of Lee and Collier Counties along Florida's Gulf Coast. 

Erika Donalds is the Founder and Chairman of OptimaEd, an online virtual charter school, and the Chair of America First Policy Institute’s Center for Education Opportunity. Erika has met with President Donald Trump and offered her expertise to help further the expansion of school choice options and to improve accountability and governance in America’s schools. Erika is an advisor for Heritage Foundation Advisory Council on Education Reform, Classical Learning Test, Moms for Liberty, and the Independent Women’s Forum Education Freedom Center. She is a former elected member of the Collier County School Board and previously sat on Florida’s 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission, Governor DeSantis’ Advisory Committee on Education and Workforce Development, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees.

Other special guests include:

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Dr. Pete Chambers

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Pete Chambers was one of six Green Beret Special Operations Flight Surgeons in the world at the time of his retirement. He served on multiple Special Forces combat deployments and was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Combat Medical Badge. He served as a taskforce surgeon for Operation Lone Star which is the military border assignment between Texas and Mexico. 

After 39 years of faithful service, Dr. Chambers was forced into retirement in 2022, when his command ordered him to stop issuing informed consents for COVID shots. He was stripped of benefits and pay. Dr. Chambers became a whistleblower and has testified as a fact witness in Liberty Counsel’s military COVID shot case. He also has testified in the State of Arizona Senate and has briefed legislators in several states and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Joining Dr. Chambers is his military-trained Dutch Shepherd, G.I. Joe, who has jumped out of planes multiple times.

J6 Political Prisoner John Strand

John Strand is a patriot who became a political prisoner simply for peacefully being at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. In June 2023, John was sentenced to 32 months in prison and spent more than four months in solitary confinement in a Miami prison. However, thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court decision, in Fischer v. United States, in which Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief, he was freed on July 24, 2024. John wrote a book, Patriot Plea, while in prison and regularly seeks public opportunities to urge Americans to stand against injustice and fight for freedom.

Pastor Lorenzo Sewell

Pastor Lorenzo Sewell grew up dealing drugs in the most dangerous gang in Detroit, Michigan, but now his life is a testament to the power of redemption and bold faith. As the Senior Pastor of 180 Church in Detroit, he seeks to establish the church as a central hub for political and faith-based unity to make a lasting impact on communities. In fact, he hosted President Donald Trump for a round-table session during the 2024 election campaign as an opportunity for community members to voice their concerns and needs. Then Pastor Sewell had the honor of leading the nation in prayer at President Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, which also coincided with Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

Pianist Adlan Cruz

Adlan Cruz has been a world-renowned classical pianist, performer, director and musical producer for more than three decades with concerts in over 60 countries, 25 albums, several DVDs, and he has produced and composed music for other musicians. Adlan has more than 15 years teaching and making dreams come true through the foundation that bears his name. Adlan also was granted an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities by the Inter American University of Puerto Rico for his valuable musical contribution and his philanthropic work. 

For media access to cover the event on Saturday, April 5, contact [email protected] or 407-462-9715. 

Other guests can register at LC.org/Gala2025.