Florida governor’s race: Byron Donalds leading candidate for Republican nomination, poll shows

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Rep. Byron Donalds is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for Florida's next governor as the midterm election in November inches closer, according to a new poll.  

Donalds has President Donald Trump's endorsement. 

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"President Trump's endorsement is the most important in all of politics," he said during an interview on Monday.

What we know:

A poll by Mason Dixon that was taken last week of 400 Florida Republicans shows Donalds with 37% support. None of the other three declared candidates cracked single digits. 

Donalds is the only one who half of respondents recognized in the first place.

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"We're in a very strong position, but nothing's settled," said Donalds. "You have to criss-cross the state. We've been doing that. You have to go see the voters, talk to them, engage them and ask them personally for their vote."

But, 49% still say they're undecided, which is why candidates like former State House Speaker Paul Renner, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and James Fishback are still fighting. 

What they're saying:

The knives are suddenly out for Donalds, with Renner saying he's symptomatic of DC dysfunction.

"I don't think he's shown up for work as much as he should and gotten things done," said Renner. "And so, we see a hot mess up in DC."

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Collins announced his campaign just this week, and is using a similar tack as Renner.

"I have no problems person-to-person with Byron Donalds," said Collins. "I have a track record of success, performance, getting things done."

Who's Ron DeSantis' pick? 

There is another giant in Florida politics whose endorsement and political machinery could matter: Governor Ron DeSantis. 

He panned Renner's candidacy in September. 

"If I were one of those guys, I would say, you know, 'here's how I supported the success Florida's had, and here's what I'll do to build on it going forward.'"

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But, he seems to have softened on Renner, especially because he has not jumped at the chance to join Trump in endorsing Donalds.

"I'm not supporting Paul Renner," the governor said in September. "I think it was an ill-advised decision to enter the race."

Big picture view:

So far, the only thing clear is that Trump's endorsement is pushing the polls in Donalds' direction. Donalds responded to his critics by pointing to a staunchly conservative voting record that includes early pushes on parental rights in school curriculum and school choice.

"We believe that as we continue to move forward," he said during Friday's interview, "we'll be able to figure out a way to get together with the governor and bring him on as well."

The other side:

While Donalds remains the front-runner on the Republican side, the Democratic side is more competitive, according to the Mason-Dixon poll. The poll shows former Rep. David Jolly has 23% support, versus 19% for Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Of the voters that were polled, 58% were still undecided. 

What's next:

The primary for the Florida governor's race will be held on August 18.