Byron Donalds Takes the Lead in Florida’s GOP Primary Race for Governor

Byron Donald Leads Florida Republican Primary, Poll Shows

An Emerson College poll released recently indicates that Rep. Byron Donald (R-Florida) is in a strong position to become the Republican candidate for governor in Florida.

According to the poll, Donald, who has the endorsement of former President Trump, commands 46% support among likely Republican primary voters. In contrast, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and businessman James Fishback each received 4%, while former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner garnered 3%. Interestingly, 3% of respondents chose “other” candidates.

However, a significant number of voters remain undecided, with 39% unsure of their choice.

Spencer Kimball, who oversees the Emerson College Poll, emphasized that Donald stands out as the frontrunner at this stage. “Byron Donald is the clear choice among Republicans to replace Governor DeSantis,” he noted, adding that Donald’s support spans all age groups, particularly enjoying a 54% approval rating from voters aged 60 and above.

The poll also explored a possible general election contest between Donald and David Jolly, a former Republican representative who switched to Democratic last year. In this hypothetical scenario, Donald still holds an edge, receiving 39% support compared to Jolly’s 44%. Yet, with 17% of voters undecided, the outcome appears uncertain.

Florida’s electoral landscape is complex. Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is ineligible to run again due to term limits but won an impressive victory over Democrat Charlie Crist in the 2022 elections. In contrast, the 2018 race saw DeSantis narrowly defeating Democrat Andrew Gillum by less than half a percentage point, which was quite a different scenario.

The survey, conducted between March 29 and 31, 2026, included 1,125 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 2.8%.

On the heels of this poll, Byron Donald’s campaign announced it raised $22.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, supported by over 10,000 donors, including endorsements from key figures like Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Donald is continuing to gain significant traction among supporters, including Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis and state sheriffs.

Reflecting on his vision last year, Donald expressed aspirations to elevate Florida further. “Governor DeSantis has led our state in a big way, and now he’s trying to build on that success. We need to tackle the future of transportation and find ways to ease the daily commute for citizens. We must keep prices manageable,” he mentioned, considering Florida’s potential as a major financial hub within a decade.