Florida governor race 2026: Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly

The basics

Floridians vote Nov. 3 to replace Ron DeSantis, who is term limited. Donalds, endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the Aug. 18 Republican primary, and Jolly won the Democratic primary. Libertarian Scott Jewett is also on the ballot. DeSantis backed Donalds after the primary. Trump carried Florida by 13 points in 2024, and Republicans hold every statewide office and supermajorities in the Legislature.

Voters will also decide Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It needs at least 60% approval, CBS News Miami reported.

The candidates

Byron Donalds (R) has represented a Southwest Florida district in the U.S. House since 2021. He has been endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association and the NRA's political arm and the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police. He has outraised Jolly by a wide margin: about $143 million to $11.6 million through Sept. 30, according to state filings compiled by Transparency USA.

David Jolly (D) represented a Pinellas County district in Congress as a Republican from 2014 to 2017 and later left the party. He is the second straight Democratic nominee for Florida governor who used to be a Republican. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have endorsed him, as has House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Where the race stands

Donalds has led every recent independent poll, by 2 to 8 points. St. Pete Polls (Oct. 25–27, 916 likely voters, ±3.2) had Donalds 48%, Jolly 46%. A New York Times/Siena poll (Oct. 19–25, 813 likely voters, ±3.9) had Donalds 48%, Jolly 44%. And the University of North Florida (Oct. 12–19, 1,471 likely voters, ±2.8) had Donalds 49%, Jolly 47%. STTPN's average of six recent independent polls is Donalds 49.3%, Jolly 45.2%. Cook, Inside Elections and Sabato's Crystal Ball all rate the race Lean Republican.

The issues

Property taxes

Donalds plans to vote for Amendment 3, citing relief for homeowners, and proposes a state funding formula for counties that would lose revenue. Jolly opposes the amendment but says he would accept the voters' decision and suggests state general fund money could preserve local services. Local officials warn the amendment could sharply cut money for services.

Property insurance

Jolly proposes a state backed catastrophe fund that would take a larger role in hurricane and wind coverage, which he says could substantially lower premiums. Donalds opposes it and instead wants to change the existing Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, including eliminating a surcharge that funds it. "Why would we expand the rainy day fund?" he said.

Costs and data centers

Jolly says he is "willing to use government to improve people's lives" and has proposed spending "$2 billion to reduce people's rent" along with more money for schools and teacher pay. Donalds emphasizes reading and writing fundamentals in schools and says counties should decide on data centers, with companies covering their energy costs.

Controversies

There have been no debates. Jolly ruled them out in September, saying "you can't debate a liar" and accusing Donalds of setting terms by press release. Donalds replied, "Who's the liar Dave?" and said Jolly was avoiding scrutiny of his insurance plan, Tampa Bay 28 reported. PolitiFact rated false a claim that Jolly wants higher taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security. Jolly calls Republican claims that he backs a "hurricane tax" "a lie," and Donalds denies Democratic claims that he would build data centers. Donalds has accused Jolly of reversing his positions on abortion and immigration since leaving the Republican Party, Fox News reported.