Trump-backed Byron Donalds wins Florida Republican primary to succeed Governor DeSantis

U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, backed by former President Donald Trump, has secured the Republican nomination for Governor of Florida in the primary election held on August 18, 2026. Donalds emerged victorious from a crowded field of Republican hopefuls vying to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis. This win positions him as the Republican candidate for the general election in November.

Donalds' campaign, which emphasized conservative principles and an agenda aligned with former President Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement, outpaced rivals including Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner. The Republican Party of Florida reportedly canceled a gubernatorial debate after Donalds was the only candidate to meet their polling and fundraising benchmarks, indicating his strong standing in the primary race.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026, general election, Byron Donalds will face Democrat David Jolly. Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became an independent and then a Democrat, secured his party's nomination on the same primary day. Observers note that Donalds' victory marks a significant step in the race for Florida's governorship, an office Republicans have held since 1998.