[
Flamboyant Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is the frontrunner to change into his state's subsequent governor, in line with a brand new ballot.
Polling agency Kaplan Methods surveyed potential Republican voters on who they wish to see Ron DeSantis change and three names emerged of their outcomes; Gaetz, Consultant Byron Donalds and Florida Lawyer Common Ashley Moody.
Gaetz has taken an early lead within the 2026 Florida Republican gubernatorial main, adopted by Byron Donalds and Ashley Moody.
https://t.co/Wuw00Fb7U6
– Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) 2 March 2024
The surveyor stated:
Our ballot amongst 1,151 registered, seemingly Republican voters reveals that Congressman Matt Gaetz leads the early race with 16% assist, adopted by Byron Donalds with 13% and Ashley Moody with 10%. With 51% of voters nonetheless undecided, the race is huge open for rising candidates.
Kaplan reported that Gaetz is prone to be the popular alternative of MAGA supporters because of his proximity to Donald Trump:
Our evaluation signifies a robust MAGA affect inside Florida Republican voters, with 63% figuring out as “MAGA Republicans.” This demographic might play an vital position, particularly if former President Donald Trump, who has a positive view of 82% of respondents, chooses to assist a candidate.
The influence of such endorsements is taken into account to be extra impactful than that of an endorsement from Governor Ron DeSantis, suggesting a doable shift in voter assist pending the high-profile endorsement.
Nonetheless, the pollster stated there may be nonetheless an extended option to go till the following election and most voters are nonetheless undecided:
The survey additionally explored voter preferences for Lawyer Common and Chief Monetary Officer, discovering that almost all of voters are nonetheless undecided, highlighting alternatives for the candidates to realize floor with efficient campaigning and strategic assist.
Particularly, Matt Gaetz leads in favorability amongst potential gubernatorial candidates and has the widest title recognition. Gaetz's attraction spanned throughout numerous demographics, garnering the very best share of each female and male votes and successful throughout all age teams besides voters aged 65+, the place Byron Donald had a slight lead.
Gaetz, who’s extensively credited with ousting former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy final October, has seen his star rise throughout the GOP regardless of his lack of recognition with the RINO institution.
2026 Florida Gubernatorial GOP Main
• Matt Gaetz – 16%
• Byron Donalds – 13%
• Ashley Moody – 10%
• Undecided – 51%
,
Favourite:
• Trump: 82/16 (+66)
• Rubio: 76-16 (+60)
• R. Scott: 63-26 (+37)
• Moody: 43-12 (+31)
• Donalds: 40-10 (+30)
• Gaetz: 47-27 (+20)
, pic.twitter.com/JRTi5wZY3r– InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) 3 March 2024
The 2026 main elections are nonetheless greater than two years away, so it's exhausting to foretell who will emerge victorious on this hotly contested race.
Nonetheless, the eventual winner of the Republican main can have a good chance to change into the state's subsequent governor because the state is more and more positioning itself as a conservative bastion.