{"id":2646714,"date":"2026-08-18T21:30:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jolly-winning-independents-as-he-battles-donalds-for-florida-governors-mansion\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T21:35:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:35:59","slug":"jolly-winning-independents-as-he-battles-donalds-for-florida-governors-mansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jolly-winning-independents-as-he-battles-donalds-for-florida-governors-mansion\/","title":{"rendered":"Jolly winning independents as he battles Donalds for Florida governor&#8217;s mansion"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjolly-winning-independents-as-he-battles-donalds-for-florida-governors-mansion%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2646714&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent poll indicates that Florida Democratic candidate David jolly is leading among independent voters in the upcoming governor&#8217;s race, particularly in the pre-primary phase. Jolly holds a double-digit lead over republican Byron Donalds among independents, with 48% supporting Jolly compared to 37% for Donalds. Though, in the general election matchup, the race is much closer, with Jolly narrowly ahead 46% to 45%, and 9% undecided. Previous polls suggested Donalds had a five-point lead.<\/p>\n<p>Issues like data center development play a significant role, with Jolly gaining independent support by proposing a moratorium on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/opposition-to-wisconsin-large-scale-data-centers-swells\/\" title=\"Opposition to Wisconsin large-scale ... swells\">large-scale data centers<\/a>, while Donalds supports construction with environmental considerations. A majority of independents (76%) expressed doubts about Donalds&#8217; stance on tax breaks for data centers,which has impacted his support.<\/p>\n<p>Jolly, who became unaffiliated after leaving Congress in 2018, campaigns as a candidate critical of the GOP establishment, advocating for government intervention and inclusive policies. Despite these efforts, he faces challenges due to Florida&#8217;s recent voting patterns, which heavily favor Trump and DeSantis. The large independent voter bloc, comprising about 3.3 million of Florida&#8217;s 13 million registered voters, could be pivotal if Jolly maintains his support among independents.<\/p>\n<p>The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates with a sample of 600 likely voters, has a margin of error of 4%. The overall political environment and voter preferences suggest a competitive race ahead.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"159\">Florida<\/a> Democratic gubernatorial candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/david-jolly\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4258\">David Jolly<\/a> is winning among <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/independents\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"834\">independent<\/a> voters in the general election, according to a new <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/poll\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11479\">poll<\/a> conducted in the days leading up to the state\u2019s primary elections, which advanced Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/byron-donalds\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"6250\">Byron Donalds<\/a> (R-FL) in the GOP field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates, found former Republican Rep. Jolly holding a double-digit lead over Donalds among nonaffiliated voters. With only 11% of independents undecided, 48% favored Jolly compared to the 37% who favored Donalds.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4692052\/david-jolly-byron-donalds-poll-florida-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jolly winning independents as he battles Donalds for Florida governor\u2019s mansion<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4691302\/byron-donalds-david-jolly-florida-governor-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Byron Donalds set for November faceoff with Democrat David Jolly for Florida governor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4691113\/democratic-sheriffs-endorse-republican-rick-jackson-georgia-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Two Democratic sheriffs endorse Republican Rick Jackson in Georgia gubernatorial race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the general election, the poll painted a much tighter race, with Jolly leading Donalds by just 1 point in a 46%-45% split with 9% of respondents undecided. Earlier polling showed Donalds beating Jolly by 5 points, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/governor\/general\/2026\/florida\/donalds-vs-jolly\">according to<\/a> the <em>RealClearPolitics<\/em> average\u00a0of two polls that surveyed voters on a hypothetical matchup between the two front-runners.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jolly also holds the edge with independents on the topic of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/data-centers\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"22166\">data centers<\/a>, which has become a key issue in the gubernatorial race in the Sunshine State. Jolly has promised a moratorium on the large-scale industrial campuses, while Donalds has said he would support data center construction while considering environmental protection and protecting ratepayers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the poll, 76% of independents had \u201cmajor doubts\u201d about supporting Donalds when presented with the following criticism: \u201cDonalds supporting the construction of massive data centers AND giving the industry tax breaks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Donalds has not explicitly pushed for new tax breaks for data centers, but his campaign has received contributions from AI companies. He has maintained that the donations do not affect his stance on data centers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Independent support for Jolly is not surprising, as the former Republican declared himself unaffiliated after leaving the U.S. House in 2018. He said he left the GOP after the party barred him from \u201cexercising his values\u201d that the government can help people, the economy should be fair, and immigrants are welcome.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, Jolly has an uphill climb to the governor\u2019s mansion in Florida. In the 2024 presidential election, the state heavily favored President Donald Trump, who backs Donalds, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) easily sailed to reelection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4690616\/pennsylvania-trump-voter-voting-democrat-midterms-new-ad\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4690616\/pennsylvania-trump-voter-voting-democrat-midterms-new-ad\/\">THREE-TIME PENNSYLVANIA TRUMP VOTER SAYS HE\u2019S VOTING FOR DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CANDIDATE IN NEW AD<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If he can maintain independent support, it could move the needle in his favor. According to the Florida Division of Elections, independents make up a large bloc of the electorate. Of the over 13 million voters, about 3.3 million are not affiliated with a political party, while 5.6 million and 4 million are registered Republicans and Democrats, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conducted between Aug. 10 and Aug. 13, the Hart Research Associates poll surveyed 600 likely voters and has a 4-point margin of error. Hart Research Associates has been named a trusted pollster and has been in business since 1971.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jolly leads independents in Florida governor race, poll shows<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2646715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26230511625414-e1787093160979.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[34069,43492,40275,79519,36457],"class_list":["post-2646714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-election-news","tag-florida-politics","tag-gubernatorial-race","tag-independent-candidates","tag-political-rivalry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26230511625414-e1787093160979.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646714"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646718,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646714\/revisions\/2646718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}