Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) won the Republican primary with 48% of the vote over Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback tonight.
Byron Donalds: 48%
Jay Collins: 25%
James Fishback: 10$
Paul Renner: 9%
Republican candidates Bobby Williams, Rachel Rodriguez, Jim Holcomb, Arthur Joseph McCaffrey, James W. Shaw, and Caneste Succe all received less than 4% of the vote.
Rep. Donalds celebrated the victory on social media.
"I am grateful to my family, my team, my volunteers, and every Floridian who powered us to this victory," Donalds wrote. "Now is the time for the Republican Party to unite. By working together, we can make Florida more affordable and defend the Florida Dream for our families, seniors, and young people."
The Republican Party of Florida also celebrated his victory.
"Congratulations to @ByronDonalds on becoming the Republican Nominee for Governor! Byron is the man to fight for an Affordable Florida and Defend the Florida Dream. Onward to victory!" the Florida GOP wrote.Â
Rep. Donalds, who announced his run last February, was endorsed by President Donald Trump in the race. Donalds currently serves Florida's 19th Congressional District after previously serving in the Florida House of Representatives.
The Republican nominee was also endorsed by Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and several members of the GOP delegation, including Rep. Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens). Weinberger is rumored as Rep. Donalds' pick for lieutenant governor.
Donalds will take on Democratic candidate David Jolly in the general election on Nov. 3. Jolly was the presumptive Democratic nominee and received 61% of the vote over Rep. Dotie Joseph (D-Miami), Evelyn Castillo-Bach, Thomas Eloy Fernandez, Dayna Marie Foster, and Stephann Norman.
Democrats have not won the governor's race since 1994. Jolly, a former Republican congressman in Florida, announced his gubernatorial run as a Democrat in July.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Notably, DeSantis has yet to endorse Rep. Donalds as his successor, but that will likely now change as Republicans look to hold the governor's mansion in Tallahassee.
