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For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 11, 2026

Contact:
Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.com
Lyndsey Brzozowski, lyndsey@bascom.group

 

BYRON DONALDS DOMINATING FLORIDA REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
 
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) Center for Political Strategy today released the initial findings from its Q2 2026 Statewide General Election Poll, which will be presented in detail at the AIF Summer Political and Policy Retreat in Sarasota, Florida.
 
AIF-endorsed candidate for Florida Governor, Congressman Byron Donalds, holds a substantial lead in the Republican primary race for Governor. Donalds captures majority support from Republican voters in the four-person field for Governor where he leads his next closest competitor by an overwhelming 46-points. 

  • Byron Donalds: 54%
  • James Fishback: 8%
  • Jay Collins: 5%
  • Paul Renner: 2%
  • Undecided: 31%

Support by Media Market: 

Donalds captures broad majority support in several media markets across the state, both rural and urban, including 71% in Ft. Myers, 69% in West Palm Beach, 54% in Orlando, 51% in Tampa, and 53% in the Panhandle.


Support by Race:

Donalds’ support spans across race, earning support amongst 55% of white Republicans and 54% of Hispanic Republicans.

Support by Age:

Donalds’ ballot share has broad appeal across age, as well, where he dominates with seniors, capturing 60% support from the higher-propensity age bracket.

 

“Byron Donalds is dominating the Republican primary race for Florida Governor,” said Jeremy Sheftel, AIF Vice President of Political Operations. “With a commanding $81-million-dollar war chest, an extensive campaign and field apparatus, and a complete and total endorsement from President Donald J. Trump, Donalds is in an extremely advantageous position to be Florida’s Republican nominee for Governor with early voting beginning in two short months.”

 

The AIF Center for Political Strategy has been closely monitoring Florida electoral trends through regular statewide polling, strategic legislative district polling, and focus groups throughout the state. For additional information on AIF’s Center for Political Strategy, visit aif.com/political.

 

METHODOLOGY: The AIF Center for Political Strategy poll consisted of 800 likely 2026 general election voters in Florida with a subset of 386 likely Republican voters, and was conducted from June 3-7th, 2026. Interviews were collected via landlines, cell phones, and SMS/text messaging to web and were balanced to reflect a likely 2026 general election turnout across age, party, gender, race, media market, education, income, and 2024 Presidential recall vote. The margin of error is +/- 3.5% at a 95% confidence interval. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding.


Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, AIF has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state. For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.

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