- The Florida governor race is now set between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly after Tuesday’s primary.
- Donalds beat Ron DeSantis’ preferred candidate, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, by more than 20 points.
- Ron DeSantis is not on the ballot himself because Florida law blocks him from seeking a third consecutive term.
- Jolly cleared a crowded Democratic field, setting up a November contest in a state Republicans have controlled since the 1990s.
Florida Governor Race Enters Its Final Stretch
The Florida governor race officially narrowed to two names this week. Voters spent Tuesday deciding who would carry each party’s banner into November, and the results came in clearer than many expected.
Byron Donalds emerged from a crowded Republican field with real breathing room, finishing well ahead of every other candidate on the ballot. David Jolly did the same on the Democratic side, avoiding a genuine nail biter of his own.
Why Ron DeSantis Isn’t On The Ballot
A lot of people searching for this race want to know one basic thing first. Ron DeSantis is not running because Florida’s constitution limits governors to two consecutive terms, and he already served both.
DeSantis’ second term wraps up in January 2027. That built in deadline is exactly why this race has drawn so much early national attention, since it marks the first true opening for Florida’s top job in eight years.
Jay Collins And The DeSantis Factor
DeSantis did not stay neutral in the primary. He threw his support behind Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, hoping his own approval ratings would transfer directly to his second in command.
That bet did not pay off. Collins finished a distant second with about 25 percent of the vote, more than 20 points behind Donalds, a gap that surprised even seasoned Florida political watchers.
The result raises real questions about how much personal popularity actually transfers between a governor and a hand picked successor, even in a state where that governor remains broadly well liked.
How Byron Donalds Pulled Ahead
Donalds’ path became clear the moment President Trump endorsed him early in the race. That single decision reshaped polling almost overnight and gave Donalds a lead he never gave back.
James Fishback, a 31 year old hedge fund investor running his first campaign, finished third with roughly 10 percent. Former House Speaker Paul Renner came in fourth, closing out the primary field.
Donalds now heads into the general election as a sitting member of Congress with Trump’s backing already locked in, a combination that gives Republicans real confidence heading into the fall.
David Jolly’s Path To The Nomination
On the Democratic side, Jolly faced a real scare when Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings briefly considered jumping into the race. That threat faded, and Jolly ultimately won with roughly 61 percent of the vote.
Jolly brings an unusual resume to this race. He previously served in Congress as a Republican before later becoming a vocal Trump critic and eventually switching parties entirely.
That crossover background could help him appeal to moderate voters in November, though it also gives Republicans an easy line of attack about his past political shifts.
What Voting In Florida Looked Like This Week
Florida polls stayed open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday, with the Panhandle’s western counties operating on Central Time. Turnout tracked close to typical midterm primary levels statewide.
Election officials reported minimal disruptions statewide, and results rolled in steadily through the evening as precincts finished reporting throughout the night.
What This Means Heading Into November
Florida has elected a Republican governor in every race since 1998, giving Donalds a clear structural advantage before the general campaign even begins in earnest.
Jolly will need to expand well past his primary coalition to make this genuinely competitive, while Donalds enters as the clear early favorite carrying real momentum from his decisive primary win.
The Bottom Line
This governor’s race is no longer a crowded guessing game. It is now a direct matchup between two very different visions for Florida’s next chapter after DeSantis leaves office.
Trenbuzz will keep tracking the Florida governor race closely as both campaigns gear up for a high stakes November general election.