TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Byron Donalds is rising because the clear frontrunner within the 2026 Florida Republican gubernatorial main, in keeping with a brand new ballot by American Promise.
The survey, performed Nov. 17–19 amongst 800 possible Republican main voters, reveals Donalds capturing 43% assist on the preliminary poll, whereas the vast majority of voters (51%) stay undecided. Different potential candidates, together with Paul Renner (2%), Jay Collins (1%) and James Fishback (0%), stay within the low single digits.
GOP voters’ financial issues are their prime precedence, with 51% citing cost-of-living points as their primary think about deciding whom to assist for governor. Particularly, 25% prioritized decrease property taxes, 17% decrease home-owner’s insurance coverage, and 9% enhancements to the state economic system. Unlawful immigration was the one non-economic subject within the prime tier, with 18% citing it as most essential.
Donalds’ favorability has risen sharply since he launched his marketing campaign. Almost three-quarters of respondents (71%) acknowledge his identify, and his web favorability is +45%. The ballot notes that slightly below a 3rd of main voters (29%) have by no means heard of him, a considerable enchancment from January, when 40% have been unfamiliar with him.
The Donalds marketing campaign in current weeks has gained a number of endorsements from high-profile Republicans who’re well-regarded amongst Florida GOP voters.
Trump’s endorsement of Donalds seems to be a possible game-changer. Solely 33% of respondents may establish Donalds because the endorsed candidate with out prompting, however when reminded of Trump’s assist, Donalds’ backing jumps to 58%.
Among the many most energetic voters, who’ve participated in all three of the final state primaries, assist rises from 49% on the preliminary poll to 62% when voters are knowledgeable of Trump’s endorsement.
American Promise Govt Director Ryan Tyson stated the numbers are promising.
“The 2026 Florida Republican main stays Donalds’ race to lose,” Ryan Tyson wrote. “His base is strongest among the many most energetic Republican voters, and his assist grows considerably as soon as voters are reminded of Trump’s endorsement.”
The survey underscores Donalds’ standing because the candidate to beat, significantly among the many state’s most engaged Republican voters. With a majority of the voters nonetheless undecided, analysts say his assist may develop as consciousness of key endorsements spreads.
The ballot additionally reveals President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis having fun with robust approval scores, 84% and 89% respectively. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody additionally preserve favorable views, whereas different figures akin to U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and First Woman Casey DeSantis have extra combined profiles.
The ballot of 800 possible GOP main voters, performed by cellphone and on-line, has a 3.46% margin of error.
