Representative Byron Donalds, a congressman who has represented south-west Florida since 2021, won the Republican primary for governor on Tuesday. Backed by President Donald Trump, Donalds easily fended off a field of challengers to succeed Ron DeSantis, including Jay Collins, the lieutenant governor handpicked by DeSantis. Donalds had pledged to implement the president's agenda if he gained the governor's seat.
In the Democratic primary for governor, former Representative David Jolly won the nomination. Additionally, Democratic socialist Angie Nixon clinched a surprise primary win in the Florida US Senate race.
These primary results set up a much expected clash to determine who will serve as the state's next governor. The upcoming November election will test President Donald Trump's grip on his adopted state and the ability of Democrats to resurrect Florida as a national political battleground.