Byron Donalds went from a Brooklyn childhood to the Florida House to Congress in under a decade. Now he is one election away from leading the nation’s third-largest state.
On August 18, 2026, the Southwest Florida congressman won the Republican nomination for governor. He beat a crowded field that included Governor Ron DeSantis’s own lieutenant governor. In November he faces former Republican congressman turned Democrat David Jolly. Here is the race, and the man.
Quick Answer
Byron Donalds is a Republican congressman from Southwest Florida and the GOP nominee for Florida governor in 2026. Endorsed by President Trump, he won the August 18 primary with 47.8 percent of the vote. He faces Democrat David Jolly on November 3, 2026. If elected, he would be Florida’s first African American governor.
Who Is Byron Donalds?
Donalds was born in Brooklyn on October 28, 1978, and raised by a single mother. He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in finance and marketing. He then built a career in banking, finance, and insurance in Southwest Florida.
He won a seat in the Florida House in 2016, representing Hendry County and eastern Collier County. There he chaired subcommittees on PreK-12 education and on insurance and banking. In 2020 he won Florida’s 19th Congressional District, succeeding retiring Rep. Francis Rooney.
Byron Donalds' Wife and Family
Donalds lives in Naples, Florida, with his wife, Erika, and their three sons, Damon, Darin, and Mason. Erika Donalds is a well-known education advocate in her own right, active in the school choice movement. The family has made Collier County home for years.
The 2026 Florida Governor Race
Ron DeSantis is term-limited, which opened the governor’s mansion for the first time since 2018.
The Republican Primary
Donalds entered the race with President Trump’s endorsement. Trump called him a “TOTAL WINNER” on Truth Social. That backing quickly made him the frontrunner, and he raised close to $100 million.
The endorsement also put him at odds with DeSantis. The two have been cool toward each other since Donalds backed Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 presidential primary. DeSantis supported Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.
| Candidate | Vote Share (Aug. 18, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Byron Donalds | 47.8% |
| Jay Collins | 25.2% |
| James Fishback | 10.5% |
| Paul Renner | 8.5% |
| Other candidates | 8.0% |
Donalds won comfortably. The Associated Press called the race as soon as polls closed.
Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly
Democrat David Jolly won his party’s primary with 61 percent. Jolly is a former Republican congressman from the Tampa Bay area who later left the GOP. This is the second straight Florida governor’s race in which the Democratic nominee is a former Republican.
The Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican. Republicans have won every Florida governor’s race since 1998. Democrats, led by Jolly and state party chair Nikki Fried, argue the race is still winnable.
Byron Donalds Polls
Before the primary, a James Madison Institute poll conducted July 20 to 26, 2026 found Donalds at 49 percent among likely Republican primary voters. Public general election polling has been more limited. Readers should watch for new surveys from established pollsters as November approaches.
Why the Race Matters
A Donalds win would make him Florida’s first African American governor. He would also be the first African American governor elected in the Deep South and the first elected African American Republican governor anywhere in the country.
It would also show the strength of Trump’s endorsement even against an incumbent Republican governor’s preferred candidate. That dynamic has repeated in GOP primaries across the country in 2026.
Related Breaking Battlegrounds Discussion
Donalds joined Chuck Warren and Sam Stone for Podcast 108: Congressman Byron Donalds on Getting Government to Work Again, recorded November 5, 2022, days before the midterm elections. The same episode featured then-candidate Joe Lombardo, who went on to become Nevada’s governor.
Donalds also appeared in an earlier episode on police morale and dysfunction in Washington. For more on Florida’s political shift, listen to Ryan Tyson on Florida’s red wave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Byron Donalds' wife?
Byron Donalds is married to Erika Donalds, an education advocate active in the school choice movement. They live in Naples, Florida, with their three sons, Damon, Darin, and Mason.
Is Byron Donalds running for governor of Florida?
Yes. Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for Florida governor on August 18, 2026, with 47.8 percent of the vote. He was endorsed by President Trump. He faces Democrat David Jolly in the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running against Byron Donalds?
Byron Donalds faces Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman from the Tampa Bay area who won the Democratic primary with 61 percent. Major forecasters rate the race as solidly or safely Republican.
Would Byron Donalds be Florida's first Black governor?
Yes. If elected in November 2026, Byron Donalds would be Florida’s first African American governor. He would also be the first African American governor elected in the Deep South and the first elected African American Republican governor in U.S. history.
Conclusion
Byron Donalds has built one of the fastest political rises in Florida history on a mix of fiscal conservatism, school choice, and close alignment with Donald Trump. His primary win showed that alignment can overpower even a popular sitting governor’s network.
In November, he has a strong chance to become a historic first. For Southwest Florida in particular, it would mean one of its own in the governor’s office.
Related Reads
Sources
- Spectrum News 13, “Donalds, Jolly win respective primaries in Florida governor race,” August 19, 2026
- NBC News, Florida primary live coverage, August 18, 2026
- TIME, “Who Is Byron Donalds, the Trump-Backed Favorite for Florida Governor?” August 18, 2026
- CBS12, “Byron Donalds, David Jolly sail to victory in Florida Primary race for governor,” August 18, 2026
- Florida Today via Yahoo News, “Trump backs Rep. Byron Donalds in his likely run for Florida governor”
- Breaking Battlegrounds, Podcast 108 episode page, recorded November 5, 2022
Editorial Note: This article is intended for informational and analytical purposes. Political developments, policies, polling, and public statements can change over time. Readers should consult primary sources and official government information for the latest details.
