U.S. POLITICS — Florida's race to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis is now set, with Republican Congressman Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly advancing from their respective party primaries to face each other in the November general election.

Donalds, a Republican closely aligned with President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination on August 18. Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became a Democrat, secured the Democratic nomination. The November contest will determine who leads Florida after DeSantis leaves office.

Byron Donalds Wins Republican Nomination

Donalds defeated a crowded Republican field that included Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and other prominent candidates.

Trump's endorsement was an important advantage during the campaign and helped Donalds establish himself as the leading candidate in the Republican primary.

Donalds has represented Florida in the U.S. House since 2021 and has become a prominent figure within the Republican Party.

David Jolly Wins Democratic Primary

On the Democratic side, David Jolly won his party's nomination after previously serving as a Republican member of Congress.

Jolly represented Florida's 13th congressional district before leaving the Republican Party and later joining the Democrats.

His campaign has positioned him as a more moderate alternative in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections in recent years.

Florida Has Become a Republican Stronghold

The general election will be an uphill battle for Jolly.

Florida has moved considerably toward the Republican Party over the past decade, and Republicans currently hold significant power across state government.

The state has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994, making the 2026 contest particularly challenging for Democrats.

Donalds therefore enters the general election with a significant political advantage. 1

Trump's Influence Will Be Tested

Donalds' campaign has been closely associated with Trump from the beginning.

The president endorsed Donalds early, helping him establish a strong position within the Republican primary.

The general election will provide another test of how much Trump's political influence can shape Florida's electorate.

However, Donalds will also need to build support beyond Trump's core political base if he wants to govern the entire state.

Donalds Could Make Florida History

If Donalds wins in November, he would become Florida's first Black governor.

That possibility gives the election historical significance beyond the usual Republican-versus-Democrat contest.

Donalds has emphasised conservative policies and has campaigned on issues including reducing property taxes and addressing the cost of insurance in Florida.

Jolly Offers a Different Direction

Jolly is attempting to present himself as an alternative to the increasingly conservative direction of Florida politics.

His campaign has focused on issues including education, housing and the cost of living while arguing that Florida needs a different political approach.

Jolly has also criticised Donalds over his relationship with powerful political and business interests.

The Cost of Living Will Be a Major Issue

Florida's rapid population growth has brought economic opportunities but also increased pressure on housing, insurance and other household expenses.

Home insurance has become one of the state's most politically sensitive issues, with many residents facing rising premiums and difficulty finding affordable coverage.

Both candidates will therefore have to convince voters that they have credible plans for dealing with the state's affordability problems.

DeSantis Cannot Seek Another Term

The election is taking place because Ron DeSantis is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term as governor.

DeSantis remained neutral during the Republican primary rather than endorsing a candidate, including his lieutenant governor, Jay Collins.

That created an unusual situation in which Donalds, despite being closely associated with Trump, emerged as the Republican nominee without an endorsement from the outgoing governor.

The November Election Will Be Closely Watched

The contest between Donalds and Jolly will attract national attention because Florida has become one of the country's most important Republican strongholds.

A Democratic victory would represent a major political shift in the state.

A Donalds victory, meanwhile, would reinforce the Republican Party's dominance and give Trump another influential ally in a major state.

What Is at Stake

The governor has substantial influence over Florida's budget, education system, environmental policies, public safety priorities and state government.

The next governor will also inherit major debates surrounding housing costs, insurance, population growth and the state's relationship with the federal government.

For voters, the election will therefore be about more than personalities or party labels.

Our Perspective

The Republican primary victory gives Donalds the advantage, but treating the November election as already decided would be a mistake.

Florida is strongly Republican, yet statewide elections can still be shaped by turnout, economic conditions, candidate quality and the issues that matter most to voters.

Jolly faces a difficult mathematical and political challenge, but his route to victory would involve persuading moderate and independent voters that the state's current direction needs to change.

Donalds enters the race as the clear favourite, but the real test begins now: can Trump's preferred candidate turn Republican primary strength into a statewide mandate?

Conclusion

Byron Donalds and David Jolly have emerged as the Republican and Democratic nominees for Florida governor, setting up a November election to replace Ron DeSantis.

Donalds enters the general election with strong Republican support and the backing of President Donald Trump, while Jolly is attempting to build a coalition capable of breaking the Republican Party's long-running dominance in Florida.

If elected, Donalds would make history as Florida's first Black governor. If Jolly wins, he would deliver one of the biggest Democratic breakthroughs in the state in decades.

The November election will therefore be both a battle for Florida's governorship and a test of whether the state's political transformation toward the Republican Party can continue.

Daily Touch Insights Editorial Team
View Journalist Profile