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Palm Coast Today
By the People, for the People
Byron Donalds Raises $22.4M for Florida Governor Race
The Naples Republican leads the GOP field in fundraising and polling.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:27pm
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The high-stakes 2026 Florida governor's race is shaping up to be a closely watched political battle, with fundraising and polling data suggesting a tight contest between the Republican and Democratic candidates.Palm Coast TodayU.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the frontrunner in the 2026 Florida governor's race, raised $22.4 million in the first quarter of the year - more than four times the combined total of his five major rivals. The Naples Republican's haul reflects his strong position in the GOP primary, where he leads in most polls, including a survey that showed his support growing to 62% when respondents were told he had former President Donald Trump's endorsement.
Why it matters
Donalds' massive fundraising advantage over his Republican opponents and the tight general election matchup with Democratic candidate David Jolly suggest the Florida governor's race could be one of the most closely watched and expensive contests in the country in 2026.
The details
Donalds raised $19.8 million for his Friends of Byron Donalds political committee and $2.64 million for his main campaign account. His major contributors included Philadelphia billionaire Jeff Yass ($2.5 million), the conservative business advocacy group Club for Growth ($2.5 million), the Seminole Tribe of Florida ($1 million) and billionaire casino company owner Steve Wynn ($1 million). In comparison, Donalds' closest GOP rival, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, raised $1.74 million, while former state House Speaker Paul Renner brought in $800,000.
- Donalds raised $22.4 million in the first three months of 2026.
- A late February poll showed Donalds with 44% support in the Republican primary.
- An April 13 poll showed Donalds with a slight 41.2% to 40.5% lead over Democrat David Jolly in the general election, with 18% undecided.
The players
Byron Donalds
A U.S. Representative from Florida's 19th congressional district and the frontrunner in the 2026 Florida governor's race.
David Jolly
A former Republican U.S. Representative who is running as a Democrat in the 2026 Florida governor's race.
Jay Collins
The current Lieutenant Governor of Florida and a Republican candidate in the 2026 Florida governor's race.
Paul Renner
A former state House Speaker and a Republican candidate in the 2026 Florida governor's race.
Jerry Demings
The current Orange County Mayor and a Democratic candidate in the 2026 Florida governor's race.
What’s next
The next major milestone in the Florida governor's race will be the Republican and Democratic primaries, which are scheduled for August 2026.
The takeaway
Byron Donalds' strong fundraising performance and frontrunner status in the Republican primary suggest he will be a formidable candidate in the 2026 Florida governor's race. However, the tight general election matchup with Democrat David Jolly indicates the contest could be highly competitive and closely watched nationally.
