The Florida governor race moved through its primary stage with Republican voters choosing among candidates in a contest shaped by Donald Trump’s endorsement of Byron Donalds. The Associated Press described Donalds as the former congressman backed by the president, while Jay Collins and James Fishback were also competing for the Republican nomination.
Florida’s primary was held Aug. 18, 2026, according to the state Department of State’s election calendar. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. The dates place the Republican and Democratic nomination contests before the final statewide campaign, meaning the primary results determine which candidates advance to the November ballot.
On the Democratic side, the AP reported that former U.S. Rep. David Jolly was leading the field. The race has drawn national attention because Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis cannot seek a third consecutive term under Florida’s term-limit rules. The Republican nominee will therefore compete to succeed a governor who remains a major figure in the state’s political network.
Redrawn political maps and the presidential endorsement added more national weight to the contest. Trump’s support gives Donalds a visible advantage within the Republican primary, but an endorsement alone does not determine the result. Collins and Fishback continued campaigning for the same nomination, and voters remained the decision-makers under Florida’s election process.
The available reports identify the primary field and election dates, but they do not by themselves establish the final November matchup. The Florida Department of State calendar confirms when voters move from the primary to the general election; official results are required before any candidate is described as the nominee or winner.
