Donalds leads Florida governor race; DeSantis exit reshapes 2026 contest

Polls show Republican Byron Donalds ahead of Democrat David Jolly in the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race, following Ron DeSantis's departure from the governorship. The race is a key test of Florida's political alignment post-DeSantis, with Donalds' lead reflecting continued GOP strength in the state. Uncertainty remains over turnout dynamics and national factors that could shift the margin.