💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
Byron Donalds, the U.S. representative from Florida’s 19th Congressional District, claimed the Republican gubernatorial nomination Tuesday, while David Jolly, a former congressman from the Tampa Bay area, secured the Democratic nod. The two winners will compete in November to fill the seat being vacated by term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Donalds entered the Republican primary as the clear frontrunner, commanding substantial leads in public surveys. A July poll by Associated Industries of Florida showed him ahead of the GOP field by 46 percentage points, a margin reflected in other tracking conducted by The New York Times. His district encompasses Southwest Florida communities including Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs and Cape Coral.
An 11-candidate Republican field competed for the nomination, including Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former House Speaker Paul Renner and political newcomer James Fishback, alongside Jim Holcomb, Arthur McCaffrey, Daniel Nokovich, Rachel Rodriguez, James Shaw, Caneste Succe and Bobby Williams. At his Orlando watch party, Donalds pledged to make Florida “accountable, achievable and most of all, affordable,” citing his 17 years in banking, finance and insurance as preparation for addressing economic challenges.
The Republican primary was marked by controversy surrounding a gubernatorial debate scheduled at the Florida GOP’s Sunshine State Showdown, with party leadership saying Donalds alone met polling thresholds for participation. Collins, Renner and Fishback objected, as did DeSantis. GOP Chairman Evan Power asserted candidates had agreed to the criteria beforehand, a claim some candidates disputed.
On the Democratic side, six candidates sought the nomination, with Jolly emerging as the polling leader. The former Republican congressman selected former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his lieutenant governor running mate. At his victory celebration, Jolly emphasized shared American values and economic opportunity as themes for his campaign.
State Rep. Dotie Joseph, who represents a North Miami-area House district, also competed for the Democratic nomination, as did Fort Lauderdale-born math teacher Dayna Marie Foster, who appealed to younger progressive voters. Evelyn Castillo-Bach, Thomas Fernandez and Stephann Norman completed the six-candidate Democratic primary field.
Florida operates as a closed primary state, requiring voters to be registered with a political party to cast ballots in its primary elections. Donalds and Jolly now advance to the November general election as Florida voters decide the next governor.
More Stories
Minneapolis Council Committee Backs Ordinance Requiring Bars and Restaurants to Post Dress Codes
Trump Announces ‘Economic D-Day’ Against Iran, Warns Nations Against Providing Financial Support
Left-Wing Democrats Advance in Primaries as DSA-Backed Candidates Gain Ground Nationally