Florida voters are casting ballots Tuesday to select a Republican nominee to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who has received the endorsement of President Trump, is considered the frontrunner in a primary field that includes Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner, and investment firm founder James Fishback.
The primary follows a period in which Florida transitioned from a battleground state to a Republican stronghold. Gov. DeSantis, who remains popular among the state's Republican voters, has not officially endorsed a successor. However, reports from CNN indicate DeSantis has privately expressed concerns to Trump regarding Donalds's suitability for the office, following a reported decline in the relationship between the two state leaders.
The campaign has been marked by personal attacks, particularly from Fishback toward Donalds. Fishback has used race-based language in social media posts and public comments, including referring to Donalds as a "slave" to corporate interests and using the nickname "By'rone." Fishback has also faced criticism and a $400,000 opposition ad campaign funded by an organization allied with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) over allegations of antisemitism, which Fishback denies.
For Florida voters, the outcome will shape state policy on education, the economy, and healthcare for the next four-year term. The primary results will also serve as a measure of President Trump’s influence in the state versus that of Gov. DeSantis, who has refrained from a public endorsement despite his high approval ratings within the party. A victory for a non-Trump-backed candidate could signal a shift in internal party dynamics, while a Donalds win would reinforce the former president's standing.
In related contests, Florida is holding primaries for House seats following a spring redistricting process that increased the number of Republican-leaning districts. This has led to intra-party challenges for incumbent Democrats like Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The general election will take place in November, where the Republican nominee is expected to face former Rep. David Jolly, the current favorite for the Democratic nomination.