Florida voters have officially narrowed the field for the state’s next governor.

Following Tuesday’s primary elections, Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly have emerged as their parties’ nominees and will face one another in the November 3 general election.

The winner will succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is unable to seek another term because of Florida’s term limits.

While the governor’s race is still several months away, Tuesday’s results officially set the matchup that Florida voters will see on the November ballot.

Who is Byron Donalds?

Byron Donalds is a Republican congressman who has represented Florida in the U.S. House since 2021. He represents a district in Southwest Florida and has become a prominent figure in Florida Republican politics.

Donalds won the Republican primary Tuesday with roughly 48% of the vote, defeating a crowded field that included Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and several other candidates.

His victory puts him in position to potentially make history. If elected governor, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor.

Donalds has built a national profile during his time in Congress and is closely associated with the Republican Party's current leadership. His campaign has emphasized issues including affordability, property taxes and government spending.

For now, however, the primary is over and Donalds' focus shifts toward the November general election.

Who is David Jolly?

David Jolly is a former Republican congressman from the Tampa Bay area who is now running as a Democrat.

Jolly served in Congress from 2014 to 2017, representing a district that included parts of Pinellas County. After leaving Congress, he became a political commentator and later changed his party affiliation.

Jolly won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, receiving roughly 61% of the vote in his party's primary.

His campaign has presented him as a more moderate Democrat, with an emphasis on issues such as education, housing and the cost of living.

Like Donalds, Jolly enters the general election with significant political experience and a history in Congress.

What happens next?

The primary elections effectively cleared the way for the November matchup.

Florida voters will now have the opportunity to choose between Donalds and Jolly when they head to the polls on November 3, 2026.

The race will also determine the direction of Florida's executive branch following eight years under Gov. Ron DeSantis. Whoever wins will take over the state's top elected office and serve as governor for the next four years.

For Clermont and the rest of Lake County, the governor's race is one of several statewide contests that will appear on the November ballot.

The general election will also include races for the U.S. Senate, congressional seats and other state and local offices.

A race to watch

Florida has become one of the most closely watched states in American politics over the past several election cycles, and the governor's race will undoubtedly attract attention well beyond the state.

But for Florida voters, the next few months will ultimately be about getting to know the two candidates, their backgrounds and what they would bring to the governor's office.

The primary is finished.

Now, the race for Florida governor officially moves to November.

The general election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The Clermont Current will continue to follow the major races and developments that matter to residents across Clermont, Groveland and Minneola.