Twelve candidates are running in the Republican primary for governor of Florida on August 18, 2026. Jay Collins (R), Byron Donalds (R), James Fishback (R), and Paul Renner (R) lead in local media attention. Incumbent Ron DeSantis (R) is term-limited.

Leading up to the elections, the Republican Party of Florida announced that it would not hold a debate, saying that Donalds was the only candidate to meet their polling and fundraising qualifications. Donalds, who leads in polling, endorsements, and campaign fundraising, has said he will not debate any of the other primary candidates. In response, the other candidates and DeSantis criticized the state party and Donalds.

DeSantis, who as of July 2026 has not endorsed a successor, said: "Having an open process and having people be able to have their say is always better than trying to engineer an outcome. What the party should be doing is what’s in the best interest of Republican voters.”

Evan Power, chair of the state's Republican Party, said, "I think we have to go through the Primary process. People can vote for whoever they want, but I don’t believe in having a debate for the sake of a debate. And there is zero interest from TV networks to cover this. There is zero interest from most of the people that I talk to that are regular everyday people to have a debate for the sake of having a debate."

Below is a background on each candidate. To read more about how Ballotpedia defines noteworthy candidates, click here.

• Collins is the Lieutenant Governor of Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appointed Collins as Lieutenant Governor to replace Jeanette Nunez (R) in 2025. Previously, Collins served in the Florida Senate from 2022 to 2025. Collins' other experience includes serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces and working at the nonprofit Operation BBQ Relief. Collins campaigned on his military service and relationship with DeSantis. His campaign website says, "He led Americans into combat, lost his leg, and re-qualified as a Green Beret. Now Jay Collins is running for Governor to protect the DeSantis legacy and keep Florida free, safe, and prosperous."
• Donalds is a member of the U.S. House representing Florida's 19th Congressional District. He was first elected in 2020. Previously, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. His career experience includes working in finance, banking, and insurance. Donalds' campaign has highlighted his endorsement from President Donald Trump (R). His website also says he would work to enact Trump's agenda and that he is "a staunch advocate for the Second Amendment, School Choice, Fiscal Sanity, Secure Borders, Law and Order, and a Limited Federal Government."
• Fishback is the founder of the investment firm Azoria and the nonprofit Incubate Debate. His other experience included working as a consultant for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the second Trump administration. Fishback's campaign website says, "I’m running for Governor because I fear we are losing the state we love. Farmland is disappearing. Data centers are being forced on our communities. And inflation is making it too expensive to live, work, or retire here. I am fighting to make life in Florida a little easier and a lot more affordable."
• Renner was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2015 to 2024. From 2022 to 2024, he was speaker of the House. His other experience includes serving in the U.S. Navy and working as a prosecutor and business attorney. Renner is running on his record in the state legislature. His campaign website says, "As Speaker of the House, I had the honor to stand with Ron DeSantis to create the Free State of Florida brand. I’m running for Governor to defend our victories and solve the challenges that remain."

One issue that the candidates differ on is whether data centers should be built in Florida.

Donalds has spoken in support of data centers in Florida. In a March campaign event, he said, "Every cycle of innovation in our economy has expanded economic growth in the United States. AI is just going to be the next step of that. Are there going to be some data centers? Yes. Are we going to make sure that they're responsible to the people of Florida. 100% absolutely. But we can not put our heads in the ground with the next wave of innovation."

Fishback and Renner have both taken stances to either stop or slow the expansion of data centers in Florida. Fishback's campaign website says he would "ban them in all 67 counties by preventing county commissions from approving them in the first place" to "protect Florida’s land, water, and electric bills from an industry that takes everything and gives nothing back." In an interview with WFLA, Renner said he supports a temporary pause on data centers: "I’ve called for a statewide moratorium. A full halt, like other counties have done. We are going to do a 12 month or 24 month, to ask questions first."

Collins has said data centers cannot be banned. At a June news conference, he said, "It has to be on Florida's terms. I will never apologize for prioritizing our people. And what we're doing is the only plan out there that actually focuses on what we should be talking about: governance, protecting our people, building an economy. If you heard me, I acknowledge data centers aren't new. The hyperscale issue is a bigger discussion. There are many ways to do this."

Jim Holcomb, Arthur McCaffrey, Daniel Nokovich, William Reicherter, Rachel Rodriguez, James Shaw, Caneste Succe, and Bobby Williams Jr. are also running.

Rodriguez and Shaw completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

As of July 2026, major race forecasters have rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican. Republicans have held the governor's office since 1999. The last time a Democrat was elected governor of Florida was 1994.