Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and former Rep. David Jolly, now a Democrat, have advanced to the general election for Florida governor after winning their respective primaries on August 15, 2026. Donalds received 48.7% of the Republican primary vote, defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who garnered 24.8%. Jolly led the Democratic primary with 61.6% of the vote. The Associated Press called the races for both candidates at 8 p.m. on the same day.
Both nominees will focus on campaigning until the election in November. Outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who is term-limited and leaving office in January 2027, did not endorse any candidate in the Republican primary but is expected to support Donalds due to their political history. Donalds expressed anticipation of DeSantis's support following the primary.
Recent polling indicates that Donalds is leading Jolly by 5 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average of two polls. The candidates are expected to debate before the general election, with Donalds having challenged Jolly to three debates. Jolly suggested that Donalds should focus on his primary first.
Donalds, who has been in the House since 2021, is endorsed by former President Donald Trump and several prominent Florida Republicans, excluding DeSantis. Jolly has received endorsements from notable Florida Democrats, including Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL). Jolly served in the House as a Republican from 2014 to 2017 before switching to the Democratic Party ahead of his gubernatorial campaign.