Donald Trump needed to hear this good news. It could change everything.
And President Trump is grinning ear to ear after seeing the results of this poll.
Florida Republicans are rallying behind a true champion in the race for governor, as Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds surges ahead in the latest polls. Florida is poised for a shake-up, with Donalds positioning himself as the frontrunner to succeed outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A fresh survey from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab reveals Donalds commanding a solid lead among GOP voters. This comes at a crucial time, as speculation swirls about whether Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis will jump into the contest.
In a scenario where Casey DeSantis enters the primary, Donalds pulls in 28 percent support from Republican voters. She trails closely at 24 percent, highlighting a tight battle at the top.
Further down the field, James Fishback garners 4 percent, while Jay Collins secures 3 percent. Paul Renner lags with just 1 percent, showing the pack is spread thin.
A significant chunk of voters, 36 percent, admit they haven’t decided yet, leaving room for campaigns to sway opinions in the coming months.
The picture shifts dramatically if Casey DeSantis stays out of the race. Donalds’ support climbs to 31 percent, solidifying his edge without her in the mix.
James Fishback sees a slight bump to 6 percent, and Jay Collins holds at 4 percent. Paul Renner remains at 1 percent, barely registering.
Uncertainty looms large here too, with 51 percent of respondents still unsure about their choice, underscoring the fluid nature of this primary.
The real game-changer emerges when pollsters mention Donald Trump’s endorsement of Donalds. Suddenly, Donalds skyrockets to 47 percent support, a massive boost that cements his dominance.
In this Trump-informed matchup, Casey DeSantis plummets to 12 percent, a stark drop that reveals the power of the president’s backing.
Even with the endorsement factored in, 28 percent of voters say they’re still on the fence, but the trend clearly favors Donalds.
PORL director, Dr. Sean Freeder, stated: “When all candidates are from the same party, voters lose their most important decision-making cue, and endorsements usually fill that vacuum.”
“Given Trump’s notoriety and high popularity among Republicans, an endorsement from him is likely to decide the race, especially when Donalds has the campaign funds to heavily advertise this advantage to voters.”
This insight from Freeder highlights how Trump’s influence can tip the scales in a crowded field of conservatives vying for the same base.
Donalds’ camp is brimming with confidence, touting his alignment with Trump-era priorities that put America First.
“Byron Donalds is the America First Conservative that President Trump and Sunshine State voters trust to protect Florida’s future. That’s why Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor,” Ryan Smith, a chief strategist for Donalds’ campaign, stated.
The poll, conducted between February 16 and 20, reached out to 657 likely Republican primary voters. With a margin of error of 4.38 percent, these numbers carry weight as the race heats up.
Florida conservatives are sending a clear message: they want a leader who stands firm with Trump, and Donalds fits that bill perfectly. As the primary approaches, expect his momentum to build even further.
