Byron Donalds (R) defeated 10 other candidates in the Republican primary for governor of Florida on Aug. 18, 2026. Donalds, Jay Collins (R), James Fishback (R), and Paul Renner (R) led in local media attention. Incumbent Ron DeSantis (R) was term-limited.

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

• Donalds was 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 included working in finance, banking, and insurance. Donalds' campaign highlighted his endorsement from President Donald Trump (R). His website also said he would work to enact Trump's agenda and that he was "a staunch advocate for the Second Amendment, School Choice, Fiscal Sanity, Secure Borders, Law and Order, and a Limited Federal Government."
• Collins was 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 included 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 said, "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."
• Fishback was 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 said, "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 included serving in the U.S. Navy and working as a prosecutor and business attorney. Renner ran on his record in the state legislature. His campaign website said, "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 differed on was whether data centers should be built in Florida. Data centers are a growing political issue nationwide, with voters in seven states deciding local ballot measures on them this year. Additionally, through the first half of the year, Ballotpedia identified 33 recall efforts targeting 58 officials over data center projects across seven states. To learn more about those, check out our Mid-Year Recall report.

Donalds, who media outlets reported received campaign contributions from various pro-AI PACS and donors, spoke both in support of data center development and in support of increasing protections for Floridians from data centers. In March, Donalds said Florida should be a leader in AI and data center development saying, “we can not put our heads in the ground with the next wave of innovation.” On Aug. 3, he said, “I know firsthand that if you don’t have fresh water, you have nothing. So, we are going to protect the water resources of the people of Florida. Secondarily, we are not going to let your electric bill go up because of a data center.”

Fishback and Renner said they wanted to stop or slow the expansion of data centers. Fishback said 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 supported 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 said data centers could not legally be banned and said: "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."

Jim Holcomb, Arthur McCaffrey, Daniel Nokovich, Rachel Rodriguez, James Shaw, Caneste Succe, and Bobby Williams Jr. also ran.

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

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