Byron Donalds wins Florida Republican gubernatorial nomination as Trump allies sweep primaries

Donalds wins Republican primary for governor

Representative Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for Florida governor on Tuesday after leading in all 20 public surveys conducted in 2026. Donalds, a 47-year-old congressman from Naples first elected in 2020, received the endorsement of Donald Trump in 2025 before formally launching his campaign. Donalds defeated Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, former State House Speaker Paul Renner, and investor James Fishback. Fishback attracted media attention for controversial remarks and was ordered two weeks prior to pay $1.3 million in legal fees to his former hedge fund. Outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited, did not issue an endorsement in the contest. If elected in November, Donalds would become the state's first Black governor while campaigning to reduce homeowner property taxes, streamline state agencies, and expand private-school tuition vouchers.

Trump allies secure key congressional districts

In the newly redrawn 16th Congressional District, first-time candidate Sydney Gruters secured the Republican nomination with Trump's endorsement. Gruters, 44, previously served as the USDA rural development state director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands and led a foundation at New College of Florida, where she managed federal funds tied to eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She is married to Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters and previously worked for Representative Vern Buchanan, who held the seat for 20 years. The redrawn 16th District spans urban St. Petersburg, Bradenton, agricultural citrus and cattle regions, and a proposed 1,300-acre DCIP Group data center. In the 25th Congressional District, former three-term Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer won the Republican primary on a platform of tax cuts and alignment with Trump, setting up a race in a coastal seat rated by The Cook Political Report as Florida's sole tossup.

Democratic primary outcomes and redistricting shifts

Representative Jared Moskowitz won the Democratic primary in the 25th District after defeating democratic socialist Oliver Larkin. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the longest-serving Florida Democrat in the House, avoided running against Moskowitz after redistricting by seeking election in the 20th District. In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, former Republican Representative David Jolly led public polling after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his campaign and Jolly named former Representative Gwen Graham as his running mate. In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman faced state Representative Angie Nixon. Across Florida, six of the state's 28 congressional incumbents chose to retire ahead of the general election following the redistricting process enacted under DeSantis.

Florida electorate moves toward Republican advantage

The primary outcomes reflect a shifting balance of power across Florida's registered electorate. Registered Republicans now outnumber registered Democrats by approximately 1.5 million voters statewide. By comparison, during the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats held an advantage of 245,000 registered voters over Republicans. The Republican Party currently holds every statewide office in Florida alongside supermajorities in both the State House and State Senate. Democratic candidates have not won a Florida gubernatorial election in more than 25 years.