Florida Gubernatorial Race: Byron Donald Leading in Polls

Florida Representative Byron Donald, a Republican, appears to be ahead in the gubernatorial race against a notable Democratic opponent, according to a recent investigation by Echelon Insights.

In a matchup against David Jolly, a former Republican turned Democrat, Donald holds a 6-point advantage, garnering 49% support compared to Jolly’s 43%. Additionally, Donald is also outperforming Jerry Demings, the Democratic mayor of Orange County, by 4 points, with Demings receiving 48% and Donald at 44%.

Ryan Smith, the chief strategist for Donald, stated, “Byron Donald is the only candidate who can defeat Democrats in this election, unite the Republican Party, and protect the Florida dream for families, seniors, and young people.” Smith emphasized Donald’s focus on making Florida safer, more affordable, and stronger, suggesting voters will rally behind his vision in November.

The survey, conducted from April 3-9 with a sample of 406 likely voters in Florida, has a margin of error of +/- 6%.

The competition to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited, is drawing significant attention. Florida’s recent political landscape has shifted markedly rightward. Notably, the 2018 gubernatorial race was tightly contested, with DeSantis winning by a mere fraction of a percentage against Andrew Gillum. However, in 2020, DeSantis triumphed over Democrat Charlie Crist by over 19 percentage points.

Donald aims to build on the achievements of the DeSantis administration, aspiring to position Florida as the “financial capital of the world.” He expressed a vision that encompasses enhancing the financial sector while ensuring every child in the state has access to quality education.

Recently, Donald’s campaign announced impressive fundraising, revealing he raised $22.2 million in the first quarter of 2026.