Byron Donalds Wins Republican Nomination to Succeed DeSantis; Faces David Jolly in Tight General Election

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) captured the Republican nomination on Tuesday to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, securing roughly 49% of the vote after the Associated Press projected the result. Donalds had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and entered the fall general election with momentum in a state that has grown markedly more Republican in recent years.

General Election Matchup

Donalds will face David Jolly — a former Republican congressman who later became an independent — in the November gubernatorial contest. Most polls indicate a competitive race, with several surveys showing Donalds holding a modest edge; a James Madison Institute poll this month put him ahead by about seven points.

DeSantis, Trump And The Open 19th District

Gov. DeSantis did not publicly endorse a primary candidate, a choice that likely avoided forcing a camp between Trump’s preferred pick, Donalds, and his lieutenant governor, Jay Collins. Meanwhile, a crowded Republican primary is under way to replace Donalds in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.

In that contest, Trump made a late endorsement for former Commerce Department adviser Catalina Lauf, who previously ran for Congress in Illinois before relocating to Florida. The 19th District field includes several repeat or out-of-state candidates — and some high-profile, controversial names.

Notable Contenders And Controversies

On the 19th District ballot were candidates such as Jim Oberweis and Olah Hawatmeh, who previously ran in other states. Also listed were former Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), who pleaded guilty to charges related to insider trading and was later pardoned by Trump, and former Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), who lost reelection amid multiple scandals — including incidents involving attempts to bring loaded firearms to airports.

About Byron Donalds

Donalds is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and a prominent Trump ally. He worked in banking and finance before winning a seat in the Florida Legislature in 2016 and then election to Congress in 2020, representing parts of Fort Myers and Naples. He was reportedly on a short list to be considered as a vice presidential pick and drew national attention when he entered the 2023 House speaker contest as part of the prolonged leadership fight that removed then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Photo: Donalds appeared at a U.S. Capitol news conference on May 20, 2026, addressing developments related to Cuba, including the indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro.

Originally published on Forbes.com.