NEW YORK (VINnews)- ESPN host and lifelong Democrat Stephen A. Smith said Thursday that U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., is the one politician who could persuade him to become a Republican, calling the Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate “the real deal.”

“And I ain’t no d— Republican. But that mean if anybody could make me one, it would be him. I’m just going to keep it a buck. I’m just letting you know,” Smith said on his SiriusXM podcast “Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith.”

Rep. Byron Donalds says Democrats have “lost the plot.”

From the economy and affordability to the WNBA and cultural issues, Donalds lays out where he believes Democrats have gone wrong. pic.twitter.com/p1uT96v87P

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 14, 2026

“He’s the real deal. Make no mistake about it. I’ve seen him battling with Democrats. I’ve seen him battling with people on different shows, whatever. He ain’t backing up. He knows his stuff. OK? I talk to him all the time. And I ain’t got nothing bad to say about him.”

Donalds, the frontrunner in Florida’s Republican primary for governor, responded to the comments on the “Just The News, No Noise” program. He said the praise “really means a lot” and reflects broader voter priorities that cross party lines.

“I do believe that resonates with people,” Donalds said. “So to hear Stephen A. Smith say that, really means a lot to me. He’s a good guy. We’ve gotten a chance to know each other over the last year or so, and that really means a lot. I think for the future, it demonstrates what people are looking for. Republicans, independent voters, even Democrats—they just want this country to work. They want common sense to reign. They want safe streets. They want a border that’s secure. They want an economic system where people can earn a great living and provide for their futures and just enjoy life.”

Donalds, who represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District and has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is seeking the Republican nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. The primary is set for Tuesday. A James Madison Institute poll released Aug. 6 showed Donalds leading with 49% support among likely Republican primary voters, 31 points ahead of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. Other candidates include former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback.

A Donalds campaign official confirmed to Fox News Digital that Smith and Donalds are friends. Campaign communications director Gates McGavick said Donalds is building support across demographic groups by focusing on affordability, public safety and keeping “the radical left” out of Florida.

Smith has voiced growing skepticism toward Democrats in recent months, including calling on the party to earn Black votes rather than take them for granted and saying he would prefer Secretary of State Marco Rubio over several prominent Democratic figures.