Florida Governor 2026
Short Answer
1. Market Behavior & Drivers
- Since last update (~43d): Byron Donalds' model probability declined 9.7pp (model_led), flipping our market edge to -4.5pp.
- David Jolly's model probability increased 9.7pp (model_led), with the market tracking up 5.0pp.
- Republicans are favored by Donalds' substantial fundraising lead and Florida's voter registration advantage.
- Prediction markets consistently price a high probability of a Republican gubernatorial win.
- Jolly's narrow polling deficit and strong independent support suggest a more competitive race.
Who Wins and Why
| Outcome | Market | Model | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byron Donalds | 79.0% | 74.5% | Byron Donalds benefits from a substantial fundraising advantage and Florida's significant Republican voter registration lead. |
| David Jolly | 23.0% | 25.5% | Polls show David Jolly trailing by only two points and consistently leading among independent voters. |
Current Context
Sources (13)
- 1Florida Governor Election 2026: Latest Pollsnytimes.com
- 2Florida Governor Polls 2026: Donalds vs. Jolly | The Florida Pressthefloridapress.com
- 3Donalds and Jolly are neck and neck in Florida governor’s race, new poll shows | WFLAwfla.com
- 4UNF Poll: Governor's race too close to call in final daysfloridapolitics.com
- 5Florida governor race 'too close to call,' new poll showstallahassee.com
- 6Florida Polling Roundup — Craig M. Burnetthome.fau.edu
- 72026 Florida Governor General Election Forecast | DDHQvotes.decisiondeskhq.com
- 8Florida election preview, 2026ballotpedia.org
- 9Florida Governor Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Polls: Donalds vs. Jolly | Kalshikalshi.com
- 10Florida Governor Election Winner Predictions & Odds 2026polymarket.com
- 11Florida Governor Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Pollskalshi.com
- 12Live odds: Florida Governor winner? | ElectionOddselectionodds.live
- 13Florida Governor winner? | Prediction Markets | Coinbasecoinbase.com
2. Price Chart
Historical Price (Probability)
3. Market Data
Contract Snapshot
This market resolves based on the winning political party in the Florida Governor General Election, scheduled for November 3, 2026. A "Yes" contract for Byron Donalds (Republican party) resolves positively if the Republican party wins the election. Conversely, a "Yes" contract for David Jolly (Democratic party) resolves positively if the Democratic party wins, with all other outcomes triggering a "No" resolution for the respective contracts.
Available Contracts
Market options and current pricing
| Outcome bucket | Yes (price) | No (price) | Last trade probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byron Donalds | $0.79 | $0.22 | 79% |
| David Jolly | $0.23 | $0.78 | 23% |
Market Discussion
As of October 22, 2026, Republican Byron Donalds is the prediction-market favorite for Florida governor, with odds around 78–81% on Kalshi and Polymarket, compared to Democrat David Jolly at 20–23% [1]. However, a poll conducted October 12–19, 2026, shows a statistical tie between Donalds (49%) and Jolly (47%), with the poll's director stating either candidate winning would be unsurprising [2]. Donalds' stronger case is supported by his small polling lead, Republican voter advantage, and market pricing, while Jolly's potential stems from the poll's statistical tie and support among independents and some Republicans [2].
4. Trust Index
Largest single print on GOVPARTYFL-26-D carried 35% of its $10,929 tape (window is 61% of 24h flow)
Integrity risk· Large trades
Includes the cost to trade: a $10,000 order loses about 6% of the price to slippage.
Weighted blend with hard caps — a critically weak safety pillar, or a severe trading anomaly, caps the total regardless of the rest. Full methodology · About the Trust Index
5. How do Byron Donalds' and David Jolly's campaign fundraising and spending totals compare for the final reporting period before the 2026 election?
| Byron Donalds Cumulative Fundraising | >$146 million [1][2] |
|---|---|
| David Jolly Cumulative Fundraising | >$21 million [1][2] |
| Byron Donalds Cash-on-Hand Advantage | $33.3 million [3][4][1] |
Sources (6)
- 1David Jolly has one of his best fundraising weeks. Byron...floridapolitics.com
- 2How much Donalds and Jolly have in the bank as they fight to...powerbrokernews.com
- 3Donalds holds $33 million cash advantage over Jolly in...opensecrets.org
- 4Donalds holds $33 million cash advantage over Jolly in...opensecrets.org
- 5Public Campaign Finance 2026 - Division of Electionsdos.fl.gov
- 6Democratic Governors Association investing $1 million to...floridaphoenix.com
6. What is the evidence-based case for a David Jolly upset, considering his polling advantages with independents and potential for crossover support?
| UNF Poll Result (October 2026) | Donalds 49%–47% (UNF Public Opinion Research Lab [1][2][3]) |
|---|---|
| UNF Poll Sampling Error | ±2.81 points (UNF Public Opinion Research Lab [1][2][3]) |
| Jolly Lead Among Independent Voters | 16 points (UNF Public Opinion Research Lab [1][2][3]) |
Sources (8)
- 1UNF Poll shows dead heat in race for Florida governor...static1.squarespace.com
- 2New poll shows Florida governor race 'too close to call'tallahassee.com
- 3Donalds, Jolly in dead heat for Florida governor: Pollfox13news.com
- 4Homestead tax amendment falling short in 60% support...news4jax.com
- 5Florida voter poll results ahead of the November Electionnbcmiami.com
- 6Florida's odd midterm currentspolitico.com
- 7Florida Governor Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Polls: Donalds vs. Jolly | Kalshikalshi.com
- 8(POLL) Byron Donalds With Slight Two-Point Lead Over...floridianpress.com
7. What are the key remaining campaign events or debates for Donalds and Jolly that could shift polling before the November 3 election?
| Key Remaining Campaign Activity | Final push for turnout and persuasion [1][2][3] |
|---|---|
| Main Debate Catalyst | Proposed October 22 South Florida Telemundo/NBC 6 event (unlikely to occur as bilateral debate) [4][5][6] |
| Early Voting & Election Day | Early voting October 24–31, Election Day November 3 [7][1][8] |
Sources (12)
- 1Donalds, Jolly in dead heat for Florida governor: Pollfox13news.com
- 2Political Connections Florida September 22 2026baynews9.com
- 3Byron Donalds, David Jolly advance to November showdown for Florida governornews4jax.com
- 4Florida Governor 2026: Donalds vs Jollymundonow.com
- 5Jolly Declines to Debate Donalds in Florida Governor's Racetallahasseereports.com
- 6Florida Governor Odds 2026: Donalds vs. Jolly Pricesdefirate.com
- 7Florida Governor Race 2026: Donalds vs Jolly, Who's Runningmiamipredictionmarkets.com
- 8Florida Governor Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Polls: Donalds vs. Jolly | Kalshikalshi.com
- 9David Jolly declines all debates with Byron Donalds in...wctv.tv
- 102026 Voter's Guide: Florida Governornews4jax.com
- 11Florida voters split on phasing out property taxes until budget effects are explained, UNF poll findsnews4jax.com
- 12US Rep Byron Donalds wins GOP nod for Florida governor against Ex-Rep David Jolly for the Democratsnews4jax.com
8. What do the 2026 early and mail-in voting statistics reveal about partisan turnout trends for Republicans versus Democrats ahead of Election Day?
| Democratic Mail Ballot Lead | 68,735 ballots [1] |
|---|---|
| Republican Early In-Person Ballot Lead | 8,480 ballots [1] |
| Democratic Total Pre-Election Day Lead | 60,255 ballots [1] |
Sources (6)
- 1Statistics - County Vote-by-Mail and Early Voting Reportscountyfilesvbm-ev.floridados.gov
- 2Early voting data shows emerging signs of a Democratic...cnn.com
- 3Tracking early voting in the 2026 US midterm electioncnn.com
- 4Election Dates - Division of Electionsdos.fl.gov
- 5Early Voting and Secure Ballot Intake Stationsdos.fl.gov
- 6Florida Republican keep large 1.5 million advantage over...wlrn.org
9. What polling data and forecast models underpin Byron Donalds' status as the favorite in the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race?
| Donalds' implied win probability | 80-82% (Polymarket) [1][2][3][4] |
|---|---|
| Donalds' lead in polling aggregation | 5 points (48.7% vs 43.7%) [5] |
| Latest UNF Poll (Donalds vs Jolly) | 49% vs 47% (within ±2.81% margin of error) [6][7] |
Sources (7)
- 1Florida Governor Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Polls: Donalds vs. Jolly | Kalshikalshi.com
- 2Live odds: Florida Governor winner? | ElectionOddselectionodds.live
- 3https://polymarket.com/event/florida-governor-winner-2026polymarket.com
- 4Florida Governor Predictions & Real-Time Oddspolymarket.com
- 52026 Florida Governor Election: Polls & Odds | Prediction Edgepredictionedge.com
- 6Donalds, Jolly in dead heat for Florida governor: Pollfox13news.com
- 7Florida governor, U.S. Senate races tighten in latest poll...fox35orlando.com
10. What Could Change the Odds
Key Catalysts
Key Dates & Catalysts
- Expiration: November 03, 2027
- Closes: November 03, 2027
Sources (9)
- 1Florida Governor Winner? 2026 Race Odds & Pollskalshi.com
- 2https://polymarket.com/event/florida-governor-winner-2026?r=kooespolymarket.com
- 3Donalds, Jolly in dead heat for Florida governor: Poll | FOX 13 Tampa Bayfox13news.com
- 4Republicans Donalds, Moody hold slim leads in tightening governor, US Senate races, UNF polls finds | WLRNwlrn.org
- 5Florida Governor Election 2026: Latest Pollsnytimes.com
- 6Florida governor polls 2026: Jolly vs Donalds polling average | On Point Politicsonpointpolitics.us
- 7Florida governor, U.S. Senate races tighten in latest poll...fox35orlando.com
- 8Election Dates - Division of Elections - Florida Department of Statedos.fl.gov
- 9Election Dates and Activities Calendar 2025 – 2026files.floridados.gov