{"id":2646723,"date":"2026-08-18T22:01:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T02:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/byron-donalds-set-for-november-faceoff-with-democrat-david-jolly\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T02:04:15","slug":"byron-donalds-set-for-november-faceoff-with-democrat-david-jolly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/byron-donalds-set-for-november-faceoff-with-democrat-david-jolly\/","title":{"rendered":"Byron Donalds set for November faceoff with Democrat David Jolly"},"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\">20<\/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%2Fbyron-donalds-set-for-november-faceoff-with-democrat-david-jolly%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=2646723&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>Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and former Florida Republican rep. David Jolly, now a Democrat, advanced to the Florida governor&#8217;s general election after winning their respective primaries. Donalds secured approximately 48.7% of the vote,defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, while Jolly received 61.6%,leading in his primary as well. Both candidates will now campaign intensively ahead of the November election. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited and leaving office in January 2027, did not endorse anyone in the primary but is expected to support the Republican nominee, likely Donalds, given their political history. Recent polling indicates Donalds leads Jolly by around five points,tho the race remains competitive. Debates between the candidates are anticipated before the general election. Donalds, endorsed by Donald Trump and many Florida Republicans, has served in Congress as 2021, whereas jolly previously served in the House and switched from Republican to Democrat before running for governor. Jolly has received endorsements from some Florida democrats and state politicians.  <\/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\">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) and former Florida Republican Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/david-jolly\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4258\">David Jolly<\/a>, now a Democrat, are advancing to the general election after winning their respective gubernatorial <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/primaries\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2655\">primaries<\/a> on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Donalds received 48.7% of the vote, trouncing the rest of the Republican primary field. His closest competitor was Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (R-FL), who secured 24.8% of the vote. Jolly, who was the leading candidate in his party\u2019s primary election like Donalds, brought in 61.6% of the vote. The <em>Associated Press<\/em> called the races for Donalds and Jolly at 8 p.m.<\/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\">Both nominees will now be pivoting their attention to campaigning until Election Day in November.<\/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\">Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-desantis\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"575\">Ron DeSantis<\/a> (R-FL), who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4689463\/florida-gop-candidates-struggle-desantis-endorsement-gubernatorial-primary\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4689463\/florida-gop-candidates-struggle-desantis-endorsement-gubernatorial-primary\/\">refused to endorse<\/a> anyone in the Republican primary, is leaving office in January 2027 due to the state\u2019s term limits. Given his long history of political friction with Jolly, the outgoing governor will likely support the Republican nominee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two days before the primary, Donalds said he anticipated DeSantis would support his bid for governor following the primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGov. DeSantis and all Republicans in our state know that we can leave nothing to chance,\u201d Donalds <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EricLDaugh\/status\/2089130019113120102\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EricLDaugh\/status\/2089130019113120102\">told<\/a> Fox News on Sunday. \u201cWe can\u2019t just rest in our laurels. I anticipate to have the governor\u2019s support, and we move forward.\u201d<\/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\">The latest polling shows Donalds outpacing 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 of two polls that surveyed voters on a hypothetical matchup between the two front-runners. It remains to be seen if Donalds can maintain his lead in the last three months of the gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two candidates will likely debate each other before the general election. Donalds challenged Jolly to three fall debates last month. Jolly responded, telling the Republican congressman to \u201cget through\u201d his primary first before they talk. Donalds previously declined to debate his primary opponents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4690378\/florida-primaries-antisemitism-dsa-republicans-democrats\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4690378\/florida-primaries-antisemitism-dsa-republicans-democrats\/\">FLORIDA PRIMARIES TEST APPETITE FOR ANTISEMITISM AND ANTI-ISRAEL POLITICS ON LEFT AND RIGHT<\/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\">Donalds, who has served in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11272\">House<\/a> since 2021, is endorsed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> and numerous high-profile Florida Republicans, with the exception of DeSantis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Jolly has received endorsements from some prominent Florida Democrats, such as Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maxwell-frost\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"9878\">Maxwell Frost<\/a> (D-FL), and a number of state-level politicians. He served in the House as a Republican from 2014 to 2017 before registering as a Democrat ahead of his campaign launch for governor last year.<\/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>Donalds and Jolly win primaries, head to Florida governor race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2646724,"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\/image-collage-q76yf9u53-1787098120979-e1787098591236.jpg?1787083854&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32322,4402,56591,6571,5894],"class_list":["post-2646723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-byron-donalds","tag-congress","tag-david-jolly","tag-elections","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-collage-q76yf9u53-1787098120979-e1787098591236.jpg?1787083854&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646723","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\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646723"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646726,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646723\/revisions\/2646726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}