NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — Fresh off a surprise endorsement from President Donald Trump, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) relished the support he received at the Conservative Political Action Conference and teased his next steps.

Donalds, a rising star in the party who was once a contender for House speaker, is on the cusp of taking the big jump in his political career as a front-running contender to govern Trump’s adopted home state.