Trump-Backed Donalds Wins Florida GOP Primary for Governor

Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Trump, won the Republican nomination for Florida governor on Tuesday, defeating three rivals including DeSantis's handpicked lieutenant governor, Jay Collins.

Donalds, who has represented southwest Florida since 2021, will face former Republican congressman David Jolly, who won the Democratic nomination the same night, in the November 3 general election.

If elected, Donalds would become only the second elected Black governor of any Southern state. He is considered the heavy favorite in the conservative-leaning state.

Donalds's campaign had already turned its focus to Jolly weeks before the primary. "My Democrat opponent would raise taxes, make life more expensive, and bring the Democrats' radical left agenda to the Sunshine State," Donalds wrote on X after his win, adding that "Florida cannot afford Liberal David Jolly."

Jolly, in his victory speech, blamed Donalds for the state's rising costs. "Byron Donalds has sold the governor's mansion to the highest bidder and the special interests across the state have been happy to play ball," he said, while also thanking Democrats for "welcoming me into the party."

DeSantis did not endorse in the primary, but Trump's backing of Donalds was seen as decisive in a state that is a stronghold of the president's political movement and home to his Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump's endorsement similarly revived DeSantis's own 2018 gubernatorial campaign.

Donalds, who was reportedly considered for the 2024 vice-presidential slot that went to JD Vance, campaigned on affordability, cutting property taxes and reducing insurance costs. Jolly, who left the Republican Party and later became a Democrat, ran a moderate campaign but was still attacked by Donalds as "a radical liberal."

Jolly faces long odds in November. No Democrat has won a Florida governor's race since 1994, and no Democrat has won a statewide election in the state since 2018.