2026 Florida Governor Race

Donalds will be Florida's first Black governor when he takes office Jan. 5, and his victory over Democrat David Jolly extends the GOP's 28-year hold on the state's governor's mansion.

Here are the results from the 2026 Florida general election, including races for governor, U.S. Senate and House, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture.

Florida voters are choosing between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly in a surprisingly competitive governor's race.

Florida law gives the top ballot position to candidates from the party that won the last governor's race. Researchers say this can benefit those candidates due to a phenomenon called the primacy effect.

After nearly three decades of Republican control of Florida, the executive office of the governor has become more powerful than ever before. So when Florida voters choose between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly for governor on Nov. 3, the winner will be poised to shape the state's direction for years to come.

The governor and attorney general positions are up for grabs in Florida. Both offices wield power to influence abortion policy.

Polls show Donalds in the lead, though it's a tight race with 12 days to go until the election.

In the gubernatorial contest, Republican Byron Donalds leads Democrat David Jolly by two percentage points, 49% to 47%, with 4% undecided. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Ashley Moody holds a four-point edge, 49% to 45%, against Democratic challenger Angie Nixon in the U.S. Senate race, with 5% undecided.

The major-party candidates for governor — Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly — have raised a lot of money. But you'll find six other candidates for governor on your ballot this Election Day.

In a wide ranging conversation with WLRN, Erika Donalds, the wife of Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, offered thoughts on immigration, the role of local governments in Florida and education policy. She spoke with WLRN on Friday before she addressed the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale.

One poll shows Jolly with 76% of Black voters’ support and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Black Republican, with 10%.

It covers local and statewide races and asks candidates about issues including data centers, property taxes, affordability and more.