Florida primary to select governor and Senate nominee as new congressional map takes effect

Florida voters will cast ballots on Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor, a U.S. Senate seat, and a slate of state offices. The primary also marks the first congressional contests held under a redrawn district map that state officials say is intended to improve Republican prospects in the November general election.

Eleven Republicans are competing for the gubernatorial nomination, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Rep. Byron Donalds and former state House speaker Paul Renner. Donalds, who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, leads in fundraising and has positioned himself as a Trump ally after backing the former president in the 2024 presidential primaries.

Collins, a former Army Special Forces veteran, describes his campaign as a bid to "protect the DeSantis legacy," though Gov. Ron DeSantis has not publicly endorsed any candidate.

Six Democrats are in the governor's race, among them former Republican Rep. David Jolly, state Rep. Dotie Joseph and teacher Dayna Marie Foster, who is supported by the state’s Democratic Progressive Caucus. Jolly, who switched parties in 2025, holds a fundraising lead and has selected former Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate.

In the Senate contest, Republican Ashley Moody, appointed by DeSantis to fill the vacancy left by Marco Rubio, faces little opposition for the party’s nomination. The Democratic nominee will be decided in November and could be state Rep. Angie Nixon or retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, a former National Security Council staffer.

The new congressional boundaries, approved by Republicans in May, eliminate several districts that were previously held by Democrats. Incumbents such as Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Darren Soto and Rep. Jared Moskowitz will run for reelection in districts that now favor Republicans, while other races feature competitive primaries on both sides.

Polls close at 7 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET in Central-time counties). Only voters registered with a party may participate in that party’s primary; independents are excluded. Approximately 13.5 million Floridians are registered to vote, with about 42% Republican, 30% Democratic and 25% unaffiliated. Early and absentee ballots account for a majority of the vote, and results are expected to be reported throughout the evening, with the Associated Press declaring winners once margins are definitive.