TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – The race for Florida\u2019s governor\u2019s mansion is drawing attention more than eight months before the primary election, with both parties expecting contentious primaries.<\/p>\n
Democrats David Jolly and Jerry Demings and Republicans Byron Donalds and Paul Renner are already running for Florida\u2019s next governor. Lt. Governor Jay Collins is considering a run and recently bought a website domain.<\/p>\n
Political analyst Susan MacManus said more candidates are expected to enter the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019ve got a wide open field,\u201d MacManus said. \u201cIt\u2019s already been identified by some of the national pundits as one of the top five governors\u2019 races to watch next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Florida politics:<\/p>\n
Donalds received President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement early in the race. Gov. Ron DeSantis has not said who he is backing to replace him, only saying he is not supporting Donalds or Renner.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s one of the biggest questions of all. How much do endorsements matter anymore? Trump endorsements have had mixed results in some of the, you know, early elections this year preceding 2026,\u201d MacManus said.<\/p>\n
Early polls show Donalds leading the expected crowded field, but MacManus said there is still a long campaign ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you really don\u2019t know what is going to be the issue that\u2019s going to drive people. Our primaries are late. They\u2019re in August,\u201d MacManus said.<\/p>\n
MacManus said the challenge is getting candidates\u2019 messages to people and hopes the campaign can remain civil.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a lot of people are hoping for is that it can be civil. All polls are showing people are really disgusted with the tone of politics at the moment,\u201d MacManus said.<\/p>\n
Florida\u2019s primary election is August 18 with the general election on November 3.<\/p>\n
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