Overview
- Gov. Ron DeSantis formally endorsed Byron Donalds and the GOP statewide slate at a Republican leadership forum in Tampa on Tuesday, an appearance that was interrupted repeatedly by protesters.
- Donalds now heads into the general election with endorsements from DeSantis and President Trump and will face Democrat David Jolly in the Nov. 3 governor’s race.
- Florida Democrats held a meeting to project unity and vowed to support their ticket while noting policy differences, including Senate nominee Angie Nixon’s recent affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America.
- Campaigns are centering messages on affordability, healthcare, education, AI and data centers, and public-safety tools such as Flock automated license-plate readers as candidates press the state for votes.
- Republicans hold a registration edge of roughly 5.6 million to 4.1 million Democrats in Florida, but recent polling shows independents and turnout dynamics could narrow margins and determine the November outcome.