Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are projected to win their respective party primaries for Florida governor [1], [2].
The results set the stage for a high-stakes general election to determine who will succeed Ron DeSantis as the leader of the U.S. state. This race serves as a critical bellwether for party strength in one of the nation's most populous swing states.
Donalds secured the Republican nomination after receiving the highest vote total in the party's primary [4]. His victory follows projections from the Associated Press and other election trackers that positioned him as the frontrunner [4].
On the Democratic side, David Jolly is projected to win the primary nomination [1]. Like Donalds, Jolly emerged with the highest vote totals among his party's candidates [4].
The primary elections took place on Tuesday night, Aug. 20, 2026 [2], [3]. Election results across Florida indicate that both candidates have successfully cleared the first hurdle of the electoral process to secure their party's banner for the general election [2].
Both candidates now shift their focus toward the general electorate. The race to replace the outgoing governor will likely center on divergent visions for Florida's economic and social policies as the candidates campaign across the state.
“Byron Donalds and David Jolly are projected to win their respective party primaries for Florida governor.”
The projection of Donalds and Jolly as the primary winners creates a competitive matchup for the Florida governorship. By securing their party nominations, both candidates have validated their appeal within their respective bases, moving the contest from internal party debates to a broader ideological battle for the state's executive office.
