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Posted on 08/12/2026 5:37:50 AM PDT by MtnClimber
For months, Florida Republicans have been told the governor's race was essentially over before it had truly begun. The message: Byron Donalds has it.
The money was raised. The endorsements were secured. The consultants declared a frontrunner. Many in the political class behaved as though Republican voters were simply expected to ratify a decision that had already been made.
But voters have a funny habit of refusing to follow the script.
A new benchmark survey from the Political Matrix suggests that the race may be far more fluid than conventional wisdom would have us believe. Congressman Byron Donalds remains in first place with 32.2 percent support, but nearly one-third of Republican voters remain undecided. Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner has climbed into second place at 18.8 percent, while James Fishback stands at 13.1 percent. Jay Collins and Bobby Williams trail in the low single digits.
The most interesting number in the poll isn't who is leading. It's who isn't decided.
Nearly one out of every three Republican voters is still looking for someone to earn their vote. That should tell every campaign something important. Florida Republicans are not looking for a coronation. They're looking for leadership.
Political momentum isn't measured only by who's in first place. It's measured by who is giving voters a reason to take a second look. Between the previous Political Matrix survey and the current one, Renner gained ground while continuing to define himself before voters. Donalds remains the frontrunner, backed by significant financial support and President Donald Trump's endorsement, but even with those advantages, a substantial share of the Republican electorate has yet to commit.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
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He's 100% pro data center, Israel first ass kissing stooge, not to mention dumber than a box of s**t.
At least the donor class loves him.
Donalds may be a decent member of Congress, but he is light years behind Ron DeSantis in the executive department.
Florida is about to take a few steps back after DeSantis.
Gov. DeSantis seems to be staying out of primary endorsements.
Some of it is politics as usual.
My concern is that he is an unknown. His commercials are devoid of substance. The fact that he has the endorsement of one well-known President - that alone is not enough.
It is a big step from being a member of Congress with very little accountability to leading the Sovereign State of Florida.
I am voting for Jay Collins, the Lieutenant Governor. He has a most impressive resume: https://www.flgov.com/eog/leadership/people/jay-collins
If he is Desantis’ man, he is my man!
HSAT, I’ll vote for whichever Republican wins the Primary.
Why, because both are black? Byron is nowhere close to Andreww, inbelifes or demeanor.
“”Gov. DeSantis seems to be staying out of primary endorsements.””
***
True, but it’s not unusual or unheard of if/when a last minute endorsement is made. Trump did it with Paxton. It’s what I think will happen re: this race.
I just checked those distances on Google Maps and you’re right! Whoever would have guessed that? Amazing.
Probably true, regardless who wins the office.
Donalds must have a mountain of campaign cash. He’s running ads non stop on youtube and that can’t be cheap. I wonder where it’s from? Developers? Big Sugar?
Google him, he was a Democrat at one time, plus he’s had several run ins with the police in his past, the Democrats will savage him in the general election. In his political career he’s been able to overcome his past sins, but he’s been a congressman in a safe red district, not a statewide election where the Democrats haven’t won in 32 years.
As I said earlier, he’s running against a former Republican who comes across as a middle of the road moderate.
I’m curious who Donalds backers are. He’s got big cash behind him. There is a lot of dirty pool going on in this campaign cycle with developers sponsoring local government candidates who claim to want to slow development while infrastructure is built for it. It doesn’t add up.
Good question - I was wondering the same thing.
Specifically, I notice the loudest anti-Donalds voices on this thread seem also to be Trump haters - perhaps still butt-hurt from DeSantis losing his Presidential bid in 2024.
Anyone who hates Trump that much has zero credibility with me.
Donalds is a Nightmare Brooklyn NY sleaze carpetbagger
with a awful past.
Donalds refuses to Debate with Baggage like that.
Trump needs to butt out again but as usual is pushing a serious loser like Vivek or OZ.
I was happy to see Minnesota and SC ignored Trump candidates.
Vote retired Military Collins the FL LTE GOVENOR who is not owned by the POT Lobby or Big Tech or Big Ag.
Collins can Win in Nov.
The Dems will win big with the Awful Donalds crook.
don’t forget the shady ‘education consulting’ business that Donalds’ wife is running...
What Nonesense.
We are Floridians and Desantis supporters too.
Donald’s is a Brooklyn Carpetbagger, former felon and bag man for all the globalist billionaire pals that donate to Trump too.
And Trumps guy is hiding from debating? Why? Too much baggage the Dems and media will blast once he is the pick.
We want to keep the FL Governor office in GOP hands.
Trump input was not requested or needed.
He needs to work on the mess in the Middle east and the derailed economy.
I’m leaning Donalds but will happily support Renner.
He wanted his wife.
Yes .
We need Collins as our person.
The Dems and Dem media are being real quiet and ready to pounce one that Trump’s trainwreck choice
Donalds wins.
The Dems are already selecting the new Governor wallpaper.
In many respects, Florida’s size and fragmented political geography makes the state more like a multination archipelago in the Caribbean than a unified state. This makes it hard for even seasoned, well-funded candidates to gain traction in statewide contests.
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