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Byron Donalds wins Florida GOP gubernatorial primary
In the Florida primary elections held on August 18, 2026, U.S. Representative Byron Donalds secured the Republican nomination for governor. Backed by Donald Trump and a campaign fund exceeding $100 million, Donalds defeated a crowded field that included Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, James Fishback, and Paul Renner.
On the Democratic side, former Republican Congressman David Jolly emerged as the frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination. The primary also featured high-stakes races for the U.S. Senate to fill the seat vacated by Marco Rubio, who was appointed Secretary of State. In the Republican Senate primary, Ashley Moody holds a strong position, while the Democratic contest features progressive lawmaker Angie Nixon and former National Security Council official Alex Vindman.
The election cycle is marked by newly redrawn congressional maps and serves as a significant test of Donald Trump’s political influence in Florida. Additionally, several Haitian-American candidates are competing in various congressional and statewide races, reflecting the state's shifting demographic and political landscape.
Entities
Byron Donalds · David Jolly · Debbie Wasserman Schultz · Donald Trump · Florida · Ron DeSantis · Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Byron Donalds won the Republican primary for Florida governor. trendingpoliticsnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ashley Moody is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio. time.news · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat includes Angie Nixon and Alex Vindman. time.news · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] David Jolly is leading the Democratic primary field for Florida governor. www.cltampa.com · time.news
- [● 2 SOURCES] Marco Rubio left his Senate seat to become Secretary of State. time.news · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Florida's congressional maps were redrawn in May 2026. cryptobriefing.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Byron Donalds defeated challengers including Jay Collins, James Fishback, and Paul Renner in the GOP primary. trendingpoliticsnews.com
- [DISPUTED] Byron Donalds entered the gubernatorial race with a campaign fund exceeding $90 million to $100 million. digitalchew.com · time.news · trendingpoliticsnews.com