The November lineup is set as Florida voters nominate Donalds, Jolly, Moody and Nixon
News from Florida for Floridians
Florida voters have spoken.
This November, the headline election matchups will be:
FOR GOVERNOR
Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples won the Republican nomination for governor with just under 50 percent of the primary vote on Tuesday. He vastly out-fundraised and outpolled his other Republican opponents, and had Donald Trump’s endorsement.
He will face David Jolly, a former Republican congressman turned Democrat, who had no serious opposition in the primary as his main opponent, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, dropped out for health reasons.
Donalds is an ardent Trump acolyte; Jolly is positioning himself as a moderate Democrat.
Donalds won 48% of the vote in a crowded primary field of 10 Republicans, and while Jolly faced five opponents, it wasn’t close, as he easily beat back his challengers, winning 61% of the vote.
Among the defeated Republicans were former House Speaker Paul Renner, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, and investor James Fishback.
As Christine Sexton of Florida Phoenix reports:
None of them could get enough traction to mount a serious challenge to Donalds, who won the president’s endorsement, but never Gov. Ron DeSantis’.
DeSantis, who for a while touted First Lady Casey DeSantis as a potential gubernatorial nominee before the Hope Florida Foundation scandal, never endorsed any of the Republicans in the primary.
Collins finished in second place with more than 25% of the vote. DeSantis named him lieutenant governor in August 2025 but he did not become a Republican gubernatorial hopeful until earlier this year. Collins sold himself as someone who would continue DeSantis’ legacy but the governor never endorsed his second-in-command.
DeSantis also had a close working relationship with Renner during his two years as House speaker, but DeSantis initially called Renner’s run for governor “ill-advised.” DeSantis acknowledged earlier this month that Renner would make a “good” governor, but still there was no endorsement. Renner finished with 8.5% of the vote.
Fishback, who won slightly more than 10% of the vote, repeatedly insulted Donalds and called him a “slave” to donors.
The Democratic gubernatorial primary was far less dramatic once Demings withdrew from the race.
As noted, Jolly is positioning himself as a moderate to Donalds’ far-right, pro-MAGA positions. Jolly had served as a member of Congress as a Republican, but he abandoned the G.O.P. after Trump was elected.
U.S. SENATE
This will be a special election in November to fill out the remainder of Marco Rubio’s term, which he abandoned when he became Secretary of State. DeSantis appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the spot, and now she will have to defend it as the temporary incumbent.
Democrats overwhelmingly chose State Rep. Angie Nixon to take on that task in Tuesday’s primary.
This was the most interesting race on the ballot Tuesday, the question being whether Nixon had the support to overcome the name recognition and fundraising muscle of her opponent, former Army officer and Trump whistleblower Alex Vindman.
Nixon approached the race from the more progressive wing of the party; Vindman positioned himself as a moderate.
As Florida Phoenix’s Jay Waagmeester reports:
Nixon’s victory concluded a primary that had some wondering whether progressive Democrats’ wins around the nation would carry into Florida.
Nixon, carrying endorsements of several of Florida’s progressive Democratic legislators, enjoyed a significantly smaller campaign account compared to challenger Alex Vindman.
With 88% of votes in, the Associated Press reported Nixon had captured 55.7% of votes to Vindman’s 44.3%. Nixon’s share of the votes equates to more than 660,000 while Vindman’s is about 530,000.
According to FEC reports through July 29, Nixon had spent nearly $710,000 and received nearly $975,000, with ending cash on hand of $264,978.
Vindman received $16.27 million and spent $9 million, leaving him with $7.26 million cash on hand as of July 29.
In her victory speech, Nixon called for unity but also took aim at her new opponent.
“We are strongest when we are united, and it’s going to take all of us to win in November,” Nixon said.
She turned her attention to Moody.
“Ashley Moody can call me whatever she wants, she can call us whatever she wants, but in November she will call me senator,” Nixon said to applause.
In a text message this morning that I received, Nixon had this to say:
“Winning the primary was only the beginning. We have 77 days to flip Florida blue, win this Senate seat, and help take back the U.S. Senate.”
For a complete look at other statewide race results and the outcomes of Florida’s congressional races, check out this election tracking page from WUSF:
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Thanks.
J.C. Bruce
Vindman should show his integrity and party bonafides by donating most or all of his remaining war chest to Angie Nixon. She clearly needs it to become competitive. And Jolly can definitely win!
Go Florida💙💫 VOTE Blue in November!