Representative Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for Florida’s governor race on Tuesday. He will face Democratic former Representative David Jolly in the November midterm elections. If Donalds prevails, his wife Erika Donalds will become the state’s First Lady.

Florida Governor Primary Election Results

Donalds outperformed several candidates in the primary to clinch the GOP nomination. He received 47.8% of the vote with 99% reporting, according to the Associated Press. Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins garnered 25.2%, while investor James Fishback received 10.5%. Other candidates saw single-digit support.

Who Is Byron Donalds?

Donalds has represented Florida’s 19th District, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Naples, since 2021. He is known as a close ally to President Donald Trump, who endorsed his campaign. Before Congress, Donalds served in the Florida House of Representatives.

A Florida State University alumnus, he has experience in Southwest Florida’s banking and finance sectors. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

Who Will Byron Donalds Run Against?

Donalds will contend with David Jolly, who represented a Pinellas County-based district in the U.S. House from 2014 to 2017. Initially a Republican, Jolly became independent in 2018, and switched to the Democratic Party last year, citing discontent with the GOP during Trump’s era.

Who Is Byron Donalds’ Wife, Erika?

Erika Donalds is involved in conservative political activism. She chairs the America First Policy Institute’s education opportunity and advocates for school choice. Married on March 15, 2003, she graduated from Florida State University in 2002 and earned a Master of Accountancy from Florida Atlantic University in 2006.

In 2017, she founded the Optima Foundation to expand classical education via charter schools, now named the Education Freedom Foundation. Previously, she was a CFO and partner at Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC.

In an Instagram post, she praised her husband, calling him a humble and principled leader. In a video on X, she shared their early life together, highlighting their personal experiences and connection to younger generations.

Erika spoke at the American Legislative Exchange Council in July about her advocacy journey, sparked by her son’s educational needs. She discovered school choice after removing her son from a misfit school, despite financial strain.

Does Byron Donalds Have Kids?

Donalds has three sons—Damon, Darin, and Mason.

Byron Donalds’ Chances of Winning Florida Governor’s Race

Recent polls show a lead for Donalds. A Democratic poll by Hart Research Associates indicated Jolly with a 1-point advantage. It surveyed 600 likely voters with a 4-point margin of error.

A James Madison Institute poll has Donalds leading by 7 points among likely voters. A University of North Florida poll showed a 5-point lead for Donalds.

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket gave Donalds an 83% chance of winning on Wednesday. These markets reflect trader sentiment but do not guarantee future outcomes.

The Cook Political Report rates the race as Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates as Likely Republican. J. Miles Coleman noted a shift from Safe Republican status given tighter polling data.

Is Florida a Red State?

Florida has become more challenging for Democrats over the past decade. Trump won the state by 13 points in 2024, up from a 3-point victory in 2020. President Obama had previously secured Florida in 2008 and 2012.

The GOP has expanded its voter registration lead. As of July 31, there were 5,607,836 registered Republicans compared to 4,066,503 Democrats. No party affiliation voters numbered 3,327,656.

Several factors have driven this shift, including Republican success among Latino voters and population growth from more conservative states during the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislative actions by the GOP also attracted voters.

Governor Ron DeSantis’ re-election margin in 2022 further emphasized the GOP’s strength. Republicans enacted policies on education, immigration, and social issues, appealing to voters from progressive regions.