Byron Donalds secures Republican nomination for FL governor, will face David Jolly in November

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - The ballot for Florida’s gubernatorial race is set.

Congressman Byron Donalds is projected to win the Republican nomination for governor, according to the Associated Press.

Donalds, who was the frontrunner in the polls leading up to Tuesday’s primary, celebrated victory in Orlando Tuesday night.

He received 49% of votes, taking out opponents like James Fishback and Lt. Governor Jay Collins.

Collins received 24.7% of the votes and Fishback received just 10.1% of the votes.

Donalds is celebrating his victory in Orlando surrounded by friends and family.

“And tonight, because of your sweat, because of your hard work, we have won a massive victory,” Donalds said at his Orlando watch party.

He will face former Congressman David Jolly and his running mate, Gwen Graham, for the governor seat in the general election in November.

Jolly, who professors say was the only Democratic candidate with name recognition in the race, garnered 61.2% of votes Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

The next highest vote recipient was Dayna Marie Foster who received 15% of votes.

“Folks, there is a new coalition emerging in American politics tonight and it’s starting right here in the state of Florida. A coalition that’s rooted in the every day majority,” Jolly said at his watch party.

Jolly is celebrating his victory in Miami Lakes.