By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-19 00:36:30 | Updated at 2026-08-20 03:55:56
1 day ago
Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds sailed through the primary Tuesday night in the race to replace outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds will now face off against Democratic nominee David Jolly, a former Republican.
Donalds — endorsed by President Donald Trump — had secured 49% of the vote at the time of this writing in the closed Republican primary, according to NBC News. Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins came in second with 24.7%. (RELATED: James Fishback Claims Whistleblower Approached Him With Evidence Byron Donalds Committed ‘Felony Crime’)
Although investment firm founder James Fishback rose to internet fame during his provocative campaign, he ultimately floundered at the polls, earning 10.1% of the vote.
Jolly was formerly a Republican member of Congress from 2014 to 2017 who later changed his party affiliation to independent before becoming a Democrat. Jolly’s change of heart is largely the result of his longstanding opposition to Trump, which dates all the way back to his first presidential campaign in 2015. (RELATED: Legal Challenge Threatens To Boot GOP Candidate From Race To Replace DeSantis)
Now, a decade later, Jolly is the Democratic nominee for Florida governor and will face Donalds in the general election on November 3.
