Gov. Ron DeSantis has not endorsed Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, whom he appointed lieutenant governor in August 2025, and has remained publicly neutral in the Republican primary for governor. President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in the race. A Tyson Group survey released this week placed Donalds at 48%, followed by Collins at 9%, businessman James Fishback at 8% and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner at 4%. About 26% of respondents remained undecided. Donalds also holds a major financial advantage, with his campaign announcing more than $90 million raised across his campaign operation.
Collins used a Thursday campaign call to position himself as the strongest Republican alternative to Donalds, despite trailing the congressman in polling, money and endorsements. Collins defended his support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement, rejected claims of tension between his campaign and staff inside the governor's office, and urged Renner to leave the race. He also argued Donalds could struggle in a general election. Collins said the race is between Donalds and himself and that his campaign has a clear path. Recent reports placed Collins' available resources at a fraction of Donalds' amount.