A major shakeup in the Florida Governor’s race has prompted U.S. Representative Byron Donalds to call for immediate Republican unity. Following the sudden exit of Democrat Jerry Demings from the primary race, the Donalds campaign declared that the general election fight has effectively begun ahead of schedule.
The Donalds campaign released a statement framing the upcoming election as a direct choice between Donalds and candidate David Jolly. Donalds, who carries an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, argued that continued primary infighting among Republicans would only jeopardize the state’s current political trajectory under Governor Ron DeSantis.
“With the announcement of Jerry Demings dropping out of the Democrat primary for Governor, the general election starts today,” Donalds said in the statement. “The differences between David Jolly and myself could not be more stark… Based upon these developments it is time for the Republican party to unite and focus on defending the successes of Governor DeSantis and keeping Florida free!”
To back up the call for unity, the Donalds campaign pointed to a series of internal and external polling data from the spring of 2026 showing him with a commanding lead in the Republican primary. The campaign cited an April 2 Emerson College poll showing Donalds up by 42 points, an April 11 Tarrance Group poll showing a 41-point lead, and a May 4 Fabrizio, Lee & Associates poll putting him ahead by 45 points.
The campaign also noted that all other primary candidates remain in single digits, while prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi give Donalds over a 90% chance of winning.
Donalds emphasized that his team will spend the remaining months leading up to the August 18th primary and the November 3rd general election holding town halls, business roundtables, and door-knocking campaigns.
Campaign officials reiterated that the race has narrowed to a two-man contest. Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for Team Donalds, argued that no other Republican candidate has established the infrastructure required to compete effectively in the fall.
“With Jerry Demings dropping out of the race, the election for Florida Governor is Byron Donalds against David Jolly,” Smith said. “No other Republican has built a credible campaign that can win in August, let alone November. By every measure – fundraising, polling, and grassroots energy – Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds is the ONLY Republican who can win and carry on Florida’s legacy of conservative leadership.”
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