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Donalds Leads Florida Governor Primary Backed by Trump

8/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Donald Trump and $100 million raised, leads the Florida governor primary on Aug. 18, 2026.
Former Republican congressman David Jolly, now a Democrat, is the gubernatorial nominee and will not reverse Gov. Ron DeSantis’s transgender-athlete ban.
Nikki Fried warned Gov. DeSantis’s redistricting could cut Republican turnout; analyst Kyle Kondik said far-left candidates need upsets.

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Story summary

Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Donald Trump and $100 million raised, leads the Florida governor primary on Aug. 18, 2026.
Former Republican congressman David Jolly, now a Democrat, is the gubernatorial nominee and will not reverse Gov. Ron DeSantis’s transgender-athlete ban.
Nikki Fried warned Gov. DeSantis’s redistricting could cut Republican turnout; analyst Kyle Kondik said far-left candidates need upsets.