Florida voters headed to the polls Tuesday for a pivotal primary that will shape the state’s ballot in November. The governor’s race features Rep. Byron Donalds, a 47‑year‑old Republican who is counting on former President Donald Trump’s endorsement to secure the GOP nomination. Donalds faces Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and political newcomer James Fishback in a three‑candidate contest.
Democratic contenders for governor
On the Democratic side, former Republican congressman David Jolly switched parties last year and now leads the field for the governor’s nomination. Jolly’s candidacy reflects a broader strategy by Democrats to appeal to moderate voters in a state that has moved sharply to the right since 2016.
Senate special election draws national attention
Two Democrats are vying for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant when former Senator Marco Rubio joined the Trump administration as secretary of state. Progressive state lawmaker Angie Nixon will face retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, a former National Security Council official who testified during Trump’s first impeachment. The incumbent, Sen. Ashley Moody, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2025 and is seeking the Republican nomination with Trump’s backing.
House races in newly drawn districts
Longtime Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running in the newly created Florida 20th district, a plurality‑Black district that excludes her hometown of Weston. She will contend with four Black primary opponents, including former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick, who is under a federal indictment for alleged misuse of disaster‑relief funds. The redistricting, driven by Gov. DeSantis, aims to reshape Florida’s congressional map ahead of the midterm elections.
Republican primary battles beyond the top of the ticket
In the 7th Congressional District, Rep. Cory Mills is seeking a third term but has been denied an endorsement from Gov. DeSantis, who publicly stated he does not support Mills amid domestic‑violence allegations. Mills faces three primary challengers.
Turnout implications for the November ballot
Registered Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Florida, a shift that puts pressure on both parties to mobilize their bases. High turnout among Democrats could signal a more competitive November, while a strong Republican showing would reinforce the party’s momentum after recent gains in the state.
Miami‑Dade County remains a bellwether. The county swung heavily for Trump in 2024 after narrowing the gap in 2020, and its turnout will be closely watched as an indicator of broader statewide trends.
What’s at stake
If Donalds secures the GOP nomination, he promises tax cuts, insurance‑regulation reforms, and greater price transparency in health care. He emphasizes that “affordability is a problem for all Floridians,” regardless of politics or skin color. A strong Trump‑backed showing would cement the former president’s influence over Florida’s Republican establishment.
Democrats hope to revive the state as a national battleground, despite Trump’s declining popularity ratings. The outcomes of these primaries will determine whether Florida continues its rightward trajectory or sees a resurgence of competitive two‑party politics in the upcoming general election.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
