A new poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates shows Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) with a hefty lead over his Republican primary opponents in the governor's race.
Rep. Donalds: 54%
James Fishback: 9%
Lt Gov. Jay Collins: 7%
Paul Renner: 2%
Undecided: 28%
Notably, Rep. Donalds is up 9% from the same firm's poll back in January. Fishback has gained 5%, while Lt. Gov Collins is up 1% and Renner is down 1%.
The poll had a 4.79% margin of error.
"Trump-endorsed @Byron_Donalds with his biggest and best lead yet. Byron is the proven America First conservative fighter to lead Florida Republicans to victory in November," said Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds for Governor Campaign.
President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Donalds in February 2025. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), House Speaker Mike Johson (R-La.), and numerous Florida congressional and state representatives have also endorsed Donalds in the race.
In addition, Donalds was endorsed by several Florida sheriffs, including Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Duval County Sheriff T.K. Waters, and Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk
The Republican primary is Aug. 18, 2026.
Donalds' lead also follows several polls showing him leading in the gubernatorial general election over Democratic candidates David Jolly and Jerry Demings, albeit by smaller margins.
Florida hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1994, when Lawton Chiles won reelection over Republican Jeb Bush. Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay later finished Chiles' term after he died in 1998 until early 1999.
Govs. Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, and Ron DeSantis have also served as Republicans since then, with Bush, Crist, and DeSantis all serving two terms. Donalds is hoping to make it five in a row this fall.
Notably, Gov. DeSantis has not endorsed Donalds in the race. In all likelihood, DeSantis will hold his support until after the primary.
The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
