Who is Byron Donalds? What to know about Florida governor candidate
Donalds won with President Donald Trump’s backing and a record $111 million war chest, and will face Democrat David Jolly in November.
- On Tuesday, August 18, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds won the Republican primary for Florida governor with 48% of the vote, securing the nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
- Buoyed by a record-setting $111 million war chest, Donalds maintained a commanding lead in polls since February 2025 following an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
- With nearly all precincts reporting, Donalds finished with 810,675 votes, defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, James Fishback, and former House Speaker Paul Renner, who all conceded Tuesday night.
- Donalds immediately called for Republican unity, stating, "Let's go beat David Jolly in November," as he pivots to face the Democratic nominee on November 3.
- If successful in November, Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor, continuing a political career that began in the Tea Party movement and includes tenure in the Florida House.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Jay Collins lost big — but he did win 14 counties in North Florida and 15 overall
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Gov. Ron DeSantis in Hillsborough County on Aug. 13, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)Byron Donalds enjoyed a relatively stress-free night Tuesday in defeating 10 opponents to capture the Republican nomination for governor and goes into November’s general election as the favorite against Democrat David Jolly. Donalds defeated Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, 48%-25%. Investment firm CEO James Fishback came in thi…
President Trump’s Pick Wins Florida Primary — His November Opponent Has A Political Past Few Expected
Florida Republicans have made their choice—and President Trump’s candidate is headed into the general election with a clear mandate. Rep. Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for governor Tuesday, defeating a crowded field and moving one step closer to becoming Florida’s first Black governor. The numbers were decisive. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Donalds drew 810,675 votes and finished at 48 percent. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins came …
Trump-Endorsed Primary Winner To Face Down Former GOP RINO Turncoat In Critical Gubernatorial Election - The American Tribune.com
President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate for Florida governor cruised to victory Tuesday night, setting up a general election fight against a former Republican who abandoned the party and later became a Democrat. Republican Rep. Byron Donalds defeated a crowded field to win the GOP nomination in the race to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis. He will face former Rep. David Jolly, who secured the Democratic nomination after spending mu…
Florida GOP rivals concede governor primary to Donalds, who calls for party unity
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Three of the Republicans who challenged U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida’s crowded gubernatorial primary conceded Tuesday night after unofficial results showed the Trump-endorsed congressman winning the nomination with nearly 48% of the vote. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, businessman James Fishback and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner all congratulated Donalds, who… The post Florida GOP rivals concede governor primary to Do…
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