A new James Madison Institute poll reveals that President Donald Trump’s (R) endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds (R) has dramatically shifted the dynamics of Florida’s 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary.
President Trump's endorsement continues the most coveted and important endorsement in American Republican politics.
In the April survey of 1,200 registered Florida voters, First Lady Casey DeSantis, the wife of current Governor Ron DeSantis (R), held a narrow lead over Rep. Donalds, showing 28% of support for her to Rep. Donalds’ 22% of support. However, the April poll did not include any mention of President Trump’s endorsement.
By May, when voters were made aware of the President’s endorsement of Rep. Donalds, his support significantly increased to 44%, overtaking DeSantis, who fell to 25%.
The result of the latest poll shows that President Trump’s endorsement continues to hold among Florida Republicans. Over 60% of those polled indicated they’d be more likely to support a candidate endorsed by the president. Yet, in the May poll, just 38% of GOP voters knew Donalds had the president’s endorsement.
Rep. Donalds also enjoys a +32 net favorability rating, with low negatives, but his name recognition (71%) still trails DeSantis (88%). The results suggest that awareness of President Trump’s support could play a pivotal role in the Florida congressman’s path as the primary season intensifies.
On the Democratic side, the landscape shifted dramatically as well after frontrunner state Senator Jason Pizzo (I)announced his departure from the Democratic Party. In April, Senator Pizzo led the field with 42%, but following his exit, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (D) surged from 15% to 32%, becoming the new Democratic frontrunner.
The survey shows Donalds and DeSantis in a virtual tie with all the other candidates thrown into the mix, but head-to-head, Donalds beats DeSantis.
In a three-way general election matchup, both Rep. Donalds and First Lady DeSantis lead Mayor Levine Cava and Senator Pizzo by four points, but a significant number of voters remain undecided.
