Donalds vs. Jolly: Florida’s 2026 Gubernatorial Showdown

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds captured the GOP nomination for Florida governor with 47.8 % of the vote in the August primary, defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (25.2 %) and investor James Fishback (10.5 %). Former Republican Rep. David Jolly secured the Democratic nomination, overcoming a field that included state Rep. Dotie Joseph. Both candidates will face each other in the general election scheduled for November 3.

Politico

Florida’s governorship has been held by Republicans since 1999, with Ron DeSantis completing a term-limited second stint. The state’s voter registration advantage has grown to more than 1.5 million Republicans over Democrats, and the GOP’s policy agenda on education, voting, immigration and social issues has solidified a “red” reputation. President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds before the primary, positioning the race as a test of Trump’s influence in his adopted state.

Chicago Tribune

• Primary vote share: Donalds 47.8 %, Collins 25.2 %, Fishback 10.5 % (Associated Press).

Newsweek

• Poll snapshots: Hart Research Associates (August 10-13) showed Jolly 46 % vs. Donalds 45 % (±4 pp); James Madison Institute (July 20-26) placed Donalds 45 % vs. Jolly 38 %; University of North Florida (July 8-17) gave Donalds 46 % vs. Jolly 41 %.

Newsweek

• Voter registration (July 31): 5,607,836 Republicans, 4,066,503 Democrats, 3,327,656 no-party-affiliation voters (Florida Division of Elections).

Newsweek

• Fundraising: Donalds’ campaign and allied committees have raised more than $100 million, including a $10 million contribution from billionaire Ken Griffin.

Newsweek

• In a campaign rally, Donalds promised to cut property taxes, address insurance rates and promote Florida as a financial-industry hub.

Politico

• Jolly framed his candidacy as a coalition “bound together by patriotism,” stressing affordability of housing, healthcare, food and gas.

Politico

• Gov. DeSantis issued a congratulatory statement for the GOP slate, pledging support for the party’s nominees.

The Hill

• Candidate James Fishback accused Donalds of wanting to turn Florida into a “Section 8 ghetto” and labeled him “AIPAC Shakur,” a “token black” and a “slave to his donors.”

New York Post

• Fishback also warned of “ignoring younger voters” and suggested aggressive measures to curb teen violence.

New York Post

Polling data present divergent pictures of the general-election outlook. The Hart Research poll shows a one-point Democratic lead, while the James Madison Institute and University of North Florida polls show double-digit Republican leads. No definitive data exist on how independent and no-party-affiliation voters will split between the two candidates.

Newsweek

• “We are going to DOGE all local governments and all state agencies,” — Representative Byron Donalds

Midterm 2026: Byron Donalds and former Republican David Jolly face off in November; Voters react.

• “There will be no sacred cows.” — Representative Byron Donalds

Midterm 2026: Byron Donalds and former Republican David Jolly face off in November; Voters react.

• “So I ask you: Are you with me to keep Florida red?” — Representative Byron Donalds

WUSF - NPR - Tampa

• “The values that hold us together are big enough to build a coalition tonight to win the governorship in November,” — Representative David Jolly

WUSF - NPR - Tampa

Both campaigns will intensify fundraising and voter outreach through the remaining 76 days before the November 3 election. The race is expected to attract additional debates and advertising battles as each side seeks to sway the sizable bloc of unaffiliated voters identified in the July 31 registration totals.

Newsweek