📅 Date: October 3, 2026
📰 Source: CNN
🏷️ Topic: Florida governor’s race, 2026 midterm elections, Byron Donalds, David Jolly
Florida’s 2026 governor’s race is drawing growing national attention as Republican nominee Byron Donalds and Democratic nominee David Jolly compete to lead one of the country’s most populous states.
Donalds, a Republican congressman from Florida, is running against Jolly, a former Republican member of Congress who later became a Democrat. The two candidates secured their parties’ nominations in August and are now campaigning ahead of the November 3 general election.
The contest is taking place against a backdrop of debate over affordability, property taxes, housing, insurance costs and the future of Florida’s development.
Two candidates, different political approaches
Donalds has emphasized lowering costs for Florida residents, including insurance premiums and property taxes. During a campaign stop in South Florida on October 2, he promoted a plan that he said could reduce insurance premiums by 20%. He has also backed a proposed property-tax reduction that could affect funding for local governments.
Jolly has focused on affordability and has criticized the growth of data centers in Florida. He has proposed a statewide pause on new data-center construction on his first day in office, arguing that the state should study the effects of these facilities before approving further development.
The candidates have also traded criticism over their records and policy positions. Their competing claims have become part of the campaign, with independent fact-checking examining statements made in political advertisements and public appearances.
Polls show a closely watched contest
Several recent polls have measured a competitive race, although results vary by survey.
A Change Research poll conducted September 25–27 among 1,063 likely Florida voters found Jolly and his running mate, Gwen Graham, at 48%, compared with Donalds and his running mate, Jay Collins, at 46%. The survey was sponsored by Freedom Project USA, and its findings reflect that particular sample and time period.
A separate St. Pete Polls survey conducted for Florida Politics found Donalds at 44% and Jolly at 43% among 913 likely voters. Its reported margin of error was plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
These polls are snapshots of voter preferences. They do not determine the election outcome, and differences in survey methods, timing and samples can produce different results.
Debate plans remain unresolved
The candidates have not agreed to a televised gubernatorial debate. Jolly said in September that he would not participate under the proposed arrangements, accusing Donalds of making false claims in campaign advertisements and negotiating in bad faith. Donalds has said he is willing to debate and that Florida voters deserve the opportunity to hear from both candidates.
If no debate takes place, the election would mark the first time in more than 50 years that Florida’s major gubernatorial candidates have not held a debate, according to reporting by Spectrum News.
What is at stake
The next governor will succeed Ron DeSantis, who is barred by term limits from seeking another consecutive term. The election will shape state policy on taxes, insurance, housing, economic development and other issues affecting Florida residents.
The race also offers a closely watched example of how national political conditions and state-specific concerns intersect in a major statewide contest.
With Election Day approaching, both campaigns are continuing to make their cases to voters. The final result will be decided by Florida voters on November 3.
Source: CNN, October 3, 2026
Original CNN article: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/03/politics/florida-governor-race-byron-donalds-david-jolly
#FloridaPolitics #FloridaGovernor #ByronDonalds #DavidJolly #Election2026 #USPolitics #MidtermElections #CNN
📅 Date: October 3, 2026
📰 Source: CNN
🏷️ Topic: Florida governor’s race, 2026 midterm elections, Byron Donalds, David Jolly
