Byron Donalds wins Republican nomination for Florida governor
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Byron Donalds wins Republican nomination for Florida governor
Donald TrumpRyan ElijahBrandon DukesCory MillsScott TimkoEric BarlowMegan Degenfelder

Cory Mills loses Florida primary amid misconduct allegations; Trump endorses Ryan Elijah, while Megan Degenfelder falls to Eric Barlow in Wyoming

Cory Mills lost his Florida primary amid allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, while Trump endorsed Ryan Elijah as his replacement. In Wyoming, Trump-backed Megan Degenfelder fell to Eric Barlow in the gubernatorial primary, highlighting the mixed results of Trump's endorsements.

The Washington Post19 August 2026 · 14:24 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Cory Mills lost his Florida primary amid serious allegations, including sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, and campaign finance violations. Mills, a two-term lawmaker from Daytona Beach, was the only incumbent to lose among eight facing primary challenges.2

In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump endorsed Ryan Elijah as Mills' replacement, stating, "I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen. He thought he could win, so who can blame him? We now have a great candidate, Ryan Elijah, running in his place! Ryan stands for EVERYTHING MAGA, and is respected by ALL."5

In Wyoming, Trump's influence was also evident as Megan Degenfelder, who had secured Trump's endorsement before announcing her campaign, lost to Eric Barlow in the gubernatorial primary. This outcome underscores the mixed results of Trump's endorsements in recent primaries, raising questions about their effectiveness.34

The political landscape continues to shift as candidates navigate the complexities of endorsements and allegations, with Trump's backing remaining a significant factor in many races.

Key Insight
“In Florida, only one of eight House incumbents lost, with Mills facing serious allegations. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Democrat Brandon Dukes holds a narrow lead over Republican Scott Timko in a district Trump won by 18 percentage points in 2024.”
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1
The Washington Post
“Of eight Florida House incumbents who faced primary challenges, only one lost: Cory Mills (R). Mills, a two-term lawmaker from the Daytona Beach area, of sexual misconduct, domestic abuse and campaign finance violations.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Byron Donalds wins GOP nomination for Florida governor; Wasserman Schultz secures victory in contentious primary race
PBS
Byron Donalds wins GOP nomination for Florida governor; Wasserman Schultz secures victory in contentious primary race

Angie Nixon scored a major upset, defeating Alex Vindman in a contentious primary.

Black GovernorsByron DonaldsFlorida Elections
2026-08-19
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Byron Donalds, a rising star in the Republican Party, won his party's nomination to succeed the term-limited DeSantis, joining a historic slate of Black gubernatorial nominees across the country as he vies to become the first Black governor of the state.
  • Wasserman Schultz easily won the most contentious race, beating U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and three other Black candidates in a South Florida district that is a plurality-Black district.
  • Democratic voters elevated another progressive Senate candidate in Florida, while President Donald Trump's chosen candidate in his adopted home state, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, won the nomination to be the state's first Black governor.
Florida primary results show Byron Donalds and David Jolly set to face off for governor; Angie Nixon scores upset in Senate primary
BBCBBC
Florida primary results show Byron Donalds and David Jolly set to face off for governor; Angie Nixon scores upset in Senate primary

Byron Donalds has the backing of US President Donald Trump in his quest to become Florida governor.

Alaska PrimaryByron DonaldsCnn
2026-08-19
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are set to face off in the Florida governor's race following their victories in the primaries, as projected by US media outlets.
  • Angie Nixon achieved a significant upset by winning the Democratic Senate primary in Florida, showcasing the influence of democratic socialists.
  • Byron Donalds, a sitting US congressman, received the endorsement of President Donald Trump in his campaign for governor.
  • David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, switched parties and criticized Trump before becoming a Democrat last year.
  • Donalds enters the general election with significant advantages, having raised over $100 million during the primary and benefiting from a larger Republican electorate in Florida.
  • Angie Nixon campaigned on a platform that includes Medicare for All and a national rent freeze, aligning with her beliefs as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
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Byron Donalds wins Florida Republican gubernatorial primary; Moody and Nixon also secure victories in their respective primaries
NBC 6 South Florida🇺🇸19 August 2026 · 08:23 UTC
Byron Donalds wins Florida Republican gubernatorial primary; Moody and Nixon also secure victories in their respective primaries

In addition to Donalds' victory, Democrat Angie Nixon and Republican Ashley Moody emerged as winners in their primaries, setting the stage for a competitive race to complete the remainder of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s term in the U.S. Senate. This development highlights the shifting dynamics within Florida's political landscape.

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Byron Donalds wins Florida GOP governor primary with 48% of vote; David Jolly takes Democratic race as 99% of ballots are counted
The New York Times🇺🇸20 August 2026 · 07:29 UTC
Byron Donalds wins Florida GOP governor primary with 48% of vote; David Jolly takes Democratic race as 99% of ballots are counted

Donalds, 47, a Trump-backed congressman from Naples, nearly doubled Lt. Gov. Jay Collins's vote share. Trump's picks won most contests, but two endorsed candidates lost upsets, including in FL-19 where Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins both lost.

Florida's Angie Nixon scores upset victory in senate race; Byron Donalds and David Jolly emerge as key candidates for governor
Yahoo🇺🇸19 August 2026 · 12:54 UTC
Florida's Angie Nixon scores upset victory in senate race; Byron Donalds and David Jolly emerge as key candidates for governor

In a surprising turn, Angie Nixon's victory in Florida's senate race marks a significant shift in the political landscape. Meanwhile, Byron Donalds, a rising star in the Republican Party, aims to become Florida's first Black governor, while David Jolly emphasizes a bipartisan platform in his campaign.

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