Byron Donalds Leads Florida Gubernatorial Poll Amid Sex Trafficking Allegations

A poll released by the James Madison Institute surveyed 1,400 registered Florida voters and found Rep. Byron Donalds (R) ahead of former Rep. David Jolly (D) as the clear front‑runner for the state’s governor race, with Donalds at 49% and Jolly at 47% in their respective party primaries. The same poll showed strong support—74%—for a constitutional amendment that would increase the homestead tax exemption and limit property‑tax growth.

Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback announced, citing an anonymous whistleblower, that the Department of Justice is investigating Donalds and Rep. Cory Mills for alleged sex‑trafficking activities. The DOJ, however, denied any such investigation into Donalds and clarified that any inquiry involving Mills pertains to financial matters, not sexual offenses. Fishback said he would not run ads attacking Donalds over the claim, describing the issue as “not political.”