Florida · Governor
Byron Donalds is heavily favored to keep the Florida governorship in Republican hands. Predicted margin: R+7.3.
Under each share, its likely range (80 in 100 simulations)
Background
DeSantis is term-limited: David Jolly (D) faces Byron Donalds (R).
Forecast history
Latest reading · Oct 28 · first published Sep 9 · 80% range · margin points R+15.6 to D+1.0. Methodology
About this series
Reconstructed with the current model Aug 1 – Sep 8 and Sep 16 – Sep 18; published readings Sep 9 – Oct 28. Each reconstructed day is the current model on that day’s own inputs, not a forecast published then. Corrections are dated in the changelog.
Faded: CTMM 2.2 reconstructed history: computed after the fact with each date's available polls and environment, without expert ratings; not an issued forecast. Issued forecasts begin at the launch marker.
CTMM 2.2 readings for 2026-09-16, 2026-09-17, 2026-09-18 were computed after the fact with each day's available inputs: no edition was issued on those days. Not an issued forecast.
Data table
| Date | Margin | Chance | 80% range | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28 | R+7.3 | R win 86.6% | R+15.6 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 27 | R+7.3 | R win 86.5% | R+15.6 to D+1.1 | Published forecast |
| Oct 26 | R+7.4 | R win 86.7% | R+15.7 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 25 | R+7.4 | R win 86.7% | R+15.7 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 24 | R+7.3 | R win 86.6% | R+15.7 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 23 | R+7.3 | R win 86.5% | R+15.7 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 22 | R+7.3 | R win 86.4% | R+15.7 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 21 | R+6.8 | R win 84.8% | R+15.2 to D+1.5 | Published forecast |
| Oct 20 | R+7.0 | R win 85.6% | R+15.4 to D+1.3 | Published forecast |
| Oct 19 | R+6.8 | R win 84.6% | R+15.2 to D+1.6 | Published forecast |
| Oct 18 | R+6.8 | R win 84.5% | R+15.1 to D+1.6 | Published forecast |
| Oct 17 | R+6.8 | R win 84.5% | R+15.1 to D+1.6 | Published forecast |
| Oct 16 | R+6.7 | R win 84.6% | R+15.1 to D+1.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 15 | R+6.7 | R win 84.6% | R+15.1 to D+1.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 14 | R+7.0 | R win 85.4% | R+15.4 to D+1.4 | Published forecast |
| Oct 13 | R+6.8 | R win 84.8% | R+15.2 to D+1.6 | Published forecast |
| Oct 12 | R+6.8 | R win 84.7% | R+15.2 to D+1.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 11 | R+6.8 | R win 84.7% | R+15.2 to D+1.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 10 | R+7.5 | R win 87.0% | R+15.9 to D+0.9 | Published forecast |
| Oct 9 | R+7.5 | R win 86.9% | R+15.9 to D+1.0 | Published forecast |
| Oct 8 | R+6.4 | R win 83.2% | R+14.8 to D+2.1 | Published forecast |
| Oct 7 | R+6.4 | R win 83.2% | R+14.8 to D+2.1 | Published forecast |
| Oct 6 | R+5.8 | R win 81.0% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 5 | R+5.8 | R win 81.2% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 4 | R+5.8 | R win 81.7% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 3 | R+5.8 | R win 81.3% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 2 | R+5.8 | R win 81.2% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Oct 1 | R+5.8 | R win 81.0% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 30 | R+5.8 | R win 80.8% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 29 | R+5.8 | R win 81.1% | R+14.3 to D+2.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 28 | R+6.0 | R win 81.8% | R+14.5 to D+2.5 | Published forecast |
| Sep 27 | R+6.0 | R win 81.6% | R+14.5 to D+2.5 | Published forecast |
| Sep 26 | R+6.0 | R win 81.8% | R+14.5 to D+2.5 | Published forecast |
| Sep 25 | R+6.0 | R win 81.6% | R+14.5 to D+2.5 | Published forecast |
| Sep 24 | R+4.5 | R win 75.0% | R+13.1 to D+4.1 | Published forecast |
| Sep 23 | R+4.5 | R win 75.0% | R+13.1 to D+4.1 | Published forecast |
| Sep 22 | R+4.5 | R win 75.3% | R+13.1 to D+4.1 | Published forecast |
| Sep 21 | R+4.5 | R win 75.3% | R+13.1 to D+4.1 | Published forecast |
| Sep 20 | R+4.5 | R win 75.0% | R+13.1 to D+4.1 | Published forecast |
| Sep 19 | R+4.5 | R win 75.2% | R+13.1 to D+4.1 | Published forecast |
| Sep 18 | R+4.5 | R win 74.8% | R+13.0 to D+4.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 17 | R+5.0 | R win 77.0% | R+13.7 to D+3.8 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 16 | R+5.0 | R win 76.9% | R+13.7 to D+3.8 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 15 | R+5.0 | R win 77.1% | R+13.7 to D+3.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 14 | R+5.0 | R win 76.8% | R+13.7 to D+3.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 13 | R+5.0 | R win 77.3% | R+13.7 to D+3.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 12 | R+5.0 | R win 77.2% | R+13.7 to D+3.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 11 | R+5.0 | R win 77.0% | R+13.7 to D+3.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 10 | R+5.0 | R win 77.2% | R+13.7 to D+3.7 | Published forecast |
| Sep 9 | R+5.7 | R win 79.5% | R+14.5 to D+3.2 | Published forecast |
| Sep 8 | R+5.8 | R win 80.4% | R+14.6 to D+3.0 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 7 | R+5.8 | R win 80.4% | R+14.7 to D+3.0 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 6 | R+5.8 | R win 80.4% | R+14.6 to D+3.0 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 5 | R+5.7 | R win 79.9% | R+14.5 to D+3.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 4 | R+5.7 | R win 79.9% | R+14.5 to D+3.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 3 | R+5.7 | R win 79.9% | R+14.5 to D+3.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 2 | R+5.7 | R win 79.9% | R+14.5 to D+3.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 1 | R+5.9 | R win 80.8% | R+14.7 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 31 | R+5.9 | R win 80.8% | R+14.7 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 30 | R+5.9 | R win 80.8% | R+14.7 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 29 | R+5.9 | R win 80.7% | R+14.7 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 28 | R+5.9 | R win 80.7% | R+14.7 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 27 | R+5.9 | R win 80.7% | R+14.6 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 26 | R+5.9 | R win 80.7% | R+14.6 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 25 | R+5.9 | R win 80.7% | R+14.6 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 24 | R+5.9 | R win 80.6% | R+14.6 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 23 | R+5.9 | R win 80.7% | R+14.6 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 22 | R+5.9 | R win 80.8% | R+14.7 to D+2.9 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 21 | R+5.6 | R win 79.2% | R+14.4 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 20 | R+5.6 | R win 79.2% | R+14.4 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 19 | R+5.6 | R win 79.1% | R+14.4 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 18 | R+6.3 | R win 81.8% | R+15.3 to D+2.6 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 17 | R+6.3 | R win 81.8% | R+15.3 to D+2.6 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 16 | R+6.3 | R win 81.8% | R+15.3 to D+2.6 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 15 | R+6.3 | R win 81.7% | R+15.2 to D+2.6 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 14 | R+6.3 | R win 81.8% | R+15.2 to D+2.6 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 13 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 12 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 11 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 10 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 9 | R+5.9 | R win 79.6% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 8 | R+5.9 | R win 79.6% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 7 | R+5.8 | R win 79.6% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 6 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.1 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 5 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 4 | R+5.9 | R win 79.7% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 3 | R+5.9 | R win 79.6% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 2 | R+5.9 | R win 79.6% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 1 | R+5.8 | R win 79.6% | R+14.9 to D+3.2 | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
The polls
Poll average R+4.7A poll’s weight halves every 60 days and grows with its sample. Each pollster counts once, at its best release. Every poll counts at its published margin, sponsored or not.In governor races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at full weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at R+4.6. It then applies a fitted correction of 2.5 points toward Republicans for governor races, measured from past polling error, before blending it with its other evidence.39 recorded polls · 37 in the poll average
| Fieldwork | Added | Pollster | Result | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| from 2026-10-25 | 14h ago | St. Pete Polls ↗ | R+2.3D 45.5% · R 47.8% | 916 LV |
| from 2026-10-19 | 14h ago | The New York Times/Siena University ↗ | R+3.9D 44.43% · R 48.36% | 813 LV |
| from 2026-10-16 | 1d ago | Echelon Insights ↗ | R+6.0D 44% · R 50% | 515 LV |
| from 2026-10-20 | 2d ago | RedBox Research ↗ | R+5.0D 44% · R 49% | 4,832 LV |
| from 2026-10-18 | 7d ago | co/efficient ↗ | R+9.0D 40% · R 49% | 1,014 LV |
| from 2026-10-12 | University of North Florida ↗ | R+2.0D 47% · R 49% | 1,471 LV | |
| from 2026-10-01 | ActiVote ↗ | R+3.4D 48.3% · R 51.7% | 400 LV | |
| from 2026-10-02 | YouGov ↗ | R+8.0D 42% · R 50% | 825 RV |
Explore each poll’s weight in the average
Poll average R+4.7
- Published result
- R+2.3
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.81 · 3.2% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 25 Oct–27 Oct
- Sample
- 916 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+3.9
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.75 · 7.1% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 19 Oct–25 Oct
- Sample
- 813 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+6.0
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.58 · 5.0% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 16 Oct–23 Oct
- Sample
- 515 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+5.0
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.94 · 8.9% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 20 Oct–23 Oct
- Sample
- 4,832 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+9.0
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.79 · 7.5% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 18 Oct–20 Oct
- Sample
- 1,014 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+3.4
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.49 · 4.6% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 1 Oct–19 Oct
- Sample
- 400 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+2.0
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.90 · 6.4% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 12 Oct–19 Oct
- Sample
- 1,471 LV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
- Published result
- R+8.0
- Weight in the poll average
- 0.67 · 3.4% of the average
- Fieldwork
- 2 Oct–15 Oct
- Sample
- 825 RV
- Sponsor
- Not listed
How the margin was built
Tap an input for its calculation and source.
Displayed values are rounded.
All calculations & sources
How this state voted, 2024 −13.100 points
The state's presidential margin in 2024 as a share of all votes cast, from our own county sums — the same measurement the model's statewide terrain center is built from. Every pull below is measured from here, not from EVEN, which is why a landslide seat's listed pulls are small numbers and still land where the forecast does.
- 2024 presidential result for this state, as a share of all votes cast, from Call the Map's own county sums.
- Same source as Act I's 2024-president reference mark, so the origin lands on it.
Fitted model, above the terrain shown +7.781 points
What the fitted model adds on top of the starting terrain above — incumbency, past results, campaign finance and the other fitted terms — measured from that terrain rather than from EVEN. It is a comparison with the starting point already shown, not a separate input. The source detail lists the variables the fit uses.
- Fitted baseline -5.319 minus starting point -13.100 = 7.781 points.
- Fitted intercept: -6.136 points.
- 2010 White population share used by the frozen historical fit: observed input 75.083. -0.503 × ((75.083 − 77.922) / 12.864) = 0.111 points.
- gov_midterm_wh: observed input -1.000. -0.987 × ((-1.000 − 0.336) / 0.739) = 1.785 points.
- 2024 presidential lean relative to the national result: observed input -11.722. 4.163 × ((-11.722 − -4.415) / 20.258) = -1.502 points.
- Previous governor election margin: observed input -19.400. 1.755 × ((-19.400 − -3.131) / 19.227) = -1.485 points.
- gov_inc_running_signed: observed input 0.000. 2.531 × ((0.000 − -0.120) / 0.708) = 0.428 points.
- gov_inc_tenure_signed: observed input 0.000. 3.340 × ((0.000 − -0.143) / 0.902) = 0.529 points.
- The displayed arithmetic is rounded; the fitted terms use full precision. The intercept plus these five terms gives the non-ratings baseline.
- No source-verified current Gallup reading supports the former 40% / July 2026 claim. The current Gallup series ends in 2025; the Presidency Project identifies its 2026 observations as other pollsters. Use the unchanged fitted missing-value rule, not a replacement polling scale.
- Certified 2024 presidential baseline: state R+13.2, national R+1.5; subtracting the national margin gives relative lean −11.7. Source: FEC compilation of certified state results.
National environment +1.832 points
The contribution to this race’s margin, not the national polling margin itself. The race’s loading, reference level and polling blend determine how much of the national climate reaches its final forecast.
- The national environment in this edition is D+8.4. This row is its contribution to the race’s prior, not a claim that the country is D+1.8.
- This step’s recorded contribution to the margin is +1.8.
- The elasticity is fitted on the pooled panel of contested governor races (2010–2024) with cycle-clustered standard errors; it is a measured response to the national environment, not a judgment floor.
This race’s polls −3.559 points
What this race’s own recent polling adds beyond its prior. The forecast weights each poll for recency and sample size and counts each pollster once; the weights listed here are those of the polls’ own average.
- St. Pete Polls (2026-10-27, n=916): R+2.3 · weight 0.81 in the poll average
- The New York Times/Siena University (2026-10-25, n=813): R+3.9 · weight 0.75 in the poll average
- RedBox Research (2026-10-23, n=4,832): R+5.0 · weight 0.94 in the poll average
- Echelon Insights (2026-10-23, n=515): R+6.0 · weight 0.58 in the poll average
- co/efficient (2026-10-20, n=1,014): R+9.0 · weight 0.79 in the poll average
- University of North Florida (2026-10-19, n=1,471): R+2.0 · weight 0.90 in the poll average
- … and 33 more below.
- Poll average R+4.7, from 37 polls · 39 recorded polls. This is the polls’ own average, each poll at its published margin, the figure this page’s poll summary shows. In governor races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at full weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at R+4.6. It then applies a fitted correction of 2.5 points toward Republicans for governor races, measured from past polling error, before blending it with its other evidence. The forecast gives the polls 98% of the weight against its structural prior for this race, which moves the margin 3.6 points toward Republicans from where it stood before the polls. Eligible polls: latest poll: 2026-10-27 (2 days old).
Historical error calibration −0.323 points
A prior-election residual correction, when an admitted model publishes one.
- The forecast’s calibration against past governor results. The recorded contribution is −0.3.
Votes for other candidates +0.057 points
Every step above is measured between the two major-party candidates alone, as if nobody else were on the ballot. The forecast sets 0.8% of the vote aside for other candidates and write-ins, so as a share of every vote cast the gap between the two is smaller by that much. This step is exactly that: the two-party margin times the share going to other candidates. It is the same arithmetic that turns the two-party margin into the two shares printed at the top of the page.
The components this edition publishes for this race, in points. “Other factors” closes the sum to the two-party structural lean exactly. The margin the page prints is a share of every vote cast, so the “Votes for other candidates” row carries the exact difference between the two-party lean and that margin; with it, the walk sums to the printed margin exactly.
| Named factor | Contribution |
|---|---|
| FundamentalsThe admitted fitted baseline. Its surviving variables differ by office; the source detail above identifies those used for this race. | −5.32 |
| This race's pollsAdmitted head-to-head polls of this race, recency- and quality-weighted. | −3.56 |
| National environmentThe national environment’s contribution to the prior. Polling can attenuate its influence; this value is not the national polling margin. | +1.83 |
| Historical calibrationThe House lane's calibration against certified past cycles. | −0.32 |
| Other factors | 0.00 |
Where the votes are
The map of this race loads here.
Race context
- Turnout, 2018 midterm
- 53.5% 8,318,824 ballots
- Turnout, 2022 midterm
- 48.2% 7,796,916 ballots
- 2024 presidential margin
- R+13.2between the two parties
Turnout is ballots cast statewide as a share of the voting-eligible population. Source: University of Florida Election Lab ↗
Population profile
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates ↗
Coverage
4 quotes
- Florida’s gubernatorial race pits Republican Byron Donalds, who is endorsed by Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, against Democrat David Jolly, who aims to address climate change in state policy. ↗
Inside Climate News · Official · 1d ago
curated newsroom · recent Bluesky post · named-race match - Polls show Byron Donalds in the lead for governor, though it's a tight race with 12 days to go until the election.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss... ↗
WUSF · Official · 5d ago
curated state newsroom · recent Bluesky post · named-race match · election-topic match - The major-party candidates for governor — Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly — have raised a lot of money. But you'll find six other candidates for governor on your ballot this Election Day.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss... ↗
WUSF · Official · 6d ago
curated state newsroom · recent Bluesky post · named-race match · election-topic match - Heading into the final stretch of the Florida gov. race, Byron Donalds has $33.3M more cash than David Jolly, an edge built largely through his affiliated PAC and fueled by billionaires and the gambling, private detention & AI industries.
Read more: www.opensecrets.org/news/2026/10... ↗
OpenSecrets.org · Official · Oct 21
curated campaign-finance data · recent Bluesky post · named-race match
Forecast as of October 28, 2026: Call the Map currently has Byron Donalds ahead of David Jolly by R+7.3, with an 87 in 100 chance to win. This is an open seat. That result would keep the seat with Republicans. The current poll average is R+4.7; 39 public polls are recorded.