Byron Donalds dominates GOP field, favored to win General Election for Governor

New polling shows that U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds continues to hold a massive lead in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, and is well-positioned for a General Election no matter who is the Democratic nominee.

The survey from Emerson College, which was conducted during the last three days of March, shows the Donald Trump-endorsed Naples Republican with 46% support, as his opponents struggle in single digits.

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who continues to struggle with questions about why Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t endorsed him, is the choice of just 4% of likely Republican voters.

Conservative firebrand James Fishback, whose rallies are drawing younger voters around the state, is not seeing that support reflected in this poll. He too is at 4%.

Former House Speaker Paul Renner, who has run a campaign tailored to social conservatives, languishes at 3%.

“Byron Donalds is the clear favorite among Republicans to succeed Governor DeSantis,” Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling, said. “Donalds leads all age groups and holds majority support among voters over 60, at 54%.”

An additional 3% of respondents back “other” candidates. While 39% of respondents say they are undecided, potentially buoying the hopes of the marginal options here, they have not proven to be able to attract those voters who have yet to tune into the race.

And given that Donalds has raised more than $67 million as of the end of March between his campaign account and his state political committee, Friends of Byron Donalds, it is unclear how the also-rans will amplify their message.

Donalds is also well-positioned against either of the two potential Democratic nominees, even as it is not clear at all who will emerge.

Emerson’s poll shows 21% of Democrats support former Republican Congressman David Jolly, 10% back Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, and 53% are undecided.

Donalds leads Demings in the hypothetical, 45% to 36%. Jolly is somewhat more competitive, trailing 39% to 44%.