Trump backs Byron Donalds again for Florida governor: Where polls stand – Newsweek
Published
May 26, 2026 at 09:16 PM EDT
Deputy News Editor
President Donald Trump has again vocalized his support for Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds in his bid for the governor’s seat, as polls show a very competitive race.
Trump won the Sunshine State by 13 points in 2024 against then-Vice President Kamala Harris, and no Democrat has won the governorship there in over 20 years.
Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday, saying in part, “I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” The president added, “Byron Donalds will be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
Donalds reacted to the post on X, saying, “I am incredibly honored to earn the trust and endorsement of President Donald J. Trump. I will never stop fighting for the state of Florida!”
View this post on X
When reached for comment on Tuesday, David Jolly for Governor campaign senior adviser Mark Riddle told Newsweek, “In a state with 23 million people, Byron Donalds serves one: Donald Trump. Donalds gave Trump an ‘A’ on the economy, makes excuses for Trump hiding the Epstein files, and turns himself into a pretzel to support Trump, no matter what’s best for Floridians.”
Riddle continued, “It’s telling that Trump had to re-endorse Byron Donalds because Donalds is struggling to explain his record to the people of Florida. David Jolly will win because he’s focused on serving all Floridians and actually addressing the economic crisis impacting this state.”
Florida, once a battleground evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, shifted rightward over the past decade and is now seen as a reliable GOP pickup. An influx of conservative retirees into the state, as well as Trump’s inroads with Hispanic and Latino voters, helped turn the state into a conservative stronghold.
However, Democrats are hoping to make the state, home to more than 23 million residents, competitive once again in November’s midterms. They believe Trump’s declining approval rating may bolster their chances in more conservative states. Historically, the reigning party in the Oval Office loses seats in the midterms.
Trump, a resident of Florida, endorsed Donalds in February 2025, prompting the congressman to officially throw his name into the race. In a recent speech in Florida, the president praised Donalds as a “fighter” and said in part that “he’s so far ahead in the polls.”
A recent Change Research poll shows the Democrat Jolly leading Donalds 46 percent to 42 percent. The poll was taken from May 13 to May 16 among 2,070 registered voters, of whom 1,593 say they will likely vote in the midterm election.
Another poll by The Public Sentiment Institute shows both Donalds and Jolly with 40 percent of the prospective vote, while 16 percent are unsure. Jolly landed his biggest support among 18- to 29-year-olds, while Donalds landed his biggest support with those age 65 and up and men.
The poll surveyed 687 likely statewide voters on April 27, with a margin of error of 3.7 percent.
In a previous survey taken at the end of March by Emerson College Polling, Donalds landed 44 percent of the vote compared to Jolly’s 39 percent. The poll shows that 15 percent are undecided. It was taken from March 29-31 among 1,125 likely voters and had a margin of error of 2.8 percent.
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