A new poll on the Florida’s gubernatorial race shows Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., ahead of his primary challengers by 30% or more.
The Mason-Dixon poll released on Wednesday showed the South-West Florida Congressman counting on the support of 37% of Republican voters. Donalds’ closest opponent, current Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, polled at 7%. His other two opponents, the former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and businessman James Fishback, polled in at less than 4%.
“Trump-endorsed Byron Donald is the only proven conservative fighter who can unite Republicans, deliver on the President’ America First agenda, crush the Democrats, and make Florida more affordable,” Ryan Smith, chief strategist of the Byron Donald’s for Governor Campaign told The Daily Signal. “Anyone running against Byron is an anti-Trump RINO and will be soundly defeated in the Republican primary.”
Donalds has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and a large number of Florida’s elected officials.
“There’s no changing the race, Byron is the Republican nominee and the next Governor,” Florida City of Sweetwater Commissioner Ian Vallecillo, who endorsed Donalds early in his campaign, told The Daily Signal.
“This late in the race, there’s no way these guys will make up for lost time,” he added. “And another thing to point out is that whoever Trump backs, is going to win. Especially in Florida, Florida is Trump country. People like Byron. He’s tough, he’s decisive, and he gets the job done. He will have around 60-70% of the vote in the August primary,” Vallecillo added.
Nevertheless, the Mason-Dixie poll found that 49% of Republicans remain undecided.
Fishback, who polled in at 3%, told The Daily Signal he remains optimistic despite the recent polling results.
“This time last year Zohran Mamdani was polling in the single digits. Now he is Mayor of New York,” Fishback said. “I will beat Byron Donalds, not by outspending him, but by out-working him.”
Fishback stated he plans on visiting all of Florida’s 67 counties, something Donalds “refuses to do.”
“No county is too big or too small for me to visit and hear from Floridians about what keeps them up at night and gets them out of bed in the morning,” Fishback added.
Fishback, who is 1% behind Renner, hinted that the former Florida Speaker of the House from 2022 to 2024 could soon resign from the race.
“Voters and voters alone will decide the future of my opponents.”
Collins and Renner did not reply to The Daily Signal’s request for comment.
