--- title: "Republican Candidates Hold Leads in Florida Governor and Senate Races" url: https://newscentral.site/republican-candidates-hold-leads-in-florida-governor-and-senate-races/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Politics" published: 2026-10-07T10:00:41.000Z updated: 2026-10-07T14:58:14.131Z id: 7dfffcfd-d396-4821-9e90-7779f81057d1 source: "NBC News Politics https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/florida-poll-republicans-lead-races-governor-senate-rcna601342" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/republican-candidates-hold-leads-in-florida-governor-and-senate-races/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Republican Candidates Hold Leads in Florida Governor and Senate Races A new survey by NBC South Florida and Telemundo Station Group shows Republican candidates ahead in two key Florida races: governor and Senate. A new survey conducted by NBC South Florida and Telemundo Station Group has revealed significant leads for Republican candidates in two key Florida races: governor and Senate. According to the poll, Republican Byron Donalds holds a substantial 7-percentage-point advantage over Democrat David Jolly in the gubernatorial contest. The same poll shows Senator Ashley Moody, also a Republican, with a strong lead of 10 points against her Democratic challenger Angie Nixon. In the Senate race, Donalds polled at 48%, while Jolly received 41% of the vote, with Donalds having enjoyed a significant financial advantage throughout the campaign so far. Moody's lead in the Senate contest was even more pronounced, with 50% support compared to Nixon's 40%. Notably, Nixon is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America and secured her spot on the ballot following an upset primary victory over Democrat Alexander Vindman in August. The poll also took a closer look at Florida's influential Hispanic voter bloc, concentrated primarily in South Florida. Miami-Dade County, a stronghold for Democrats in past elections, saw a significant shift in 2024 when Donald Trump won by roughly 11 points. This marked a reversal of fortunes for the area, which had long been leaning towards Democratic candidates. Trump's performance in Miami-Dade was particularly notable given his popularity among Hispanic voters, who make up a large portion of the county's population. However, recent surveys suggest that these voters may be swinging back away from Trump, with other high-profile Republican candidates maintaining comfortable leads. Among Hispanic voters, Donalds holds a 48%-43% lead over Jolly, while Moody is ahead of Nixon by 47%-40%. Meanwhile, Trump's job performance rating remains under scrutiny, with 49% disapproving compared to 45% who approve. The disparity in Trump's approval ratings among all Florida likely voters mirrors the broader trend, with 48% approving and 48% disapproving his job performance. This mixed assessment of Trump's presidency may be influencing the shifting allegiances of Hispanic voters, who had previously been a key demographic for Democrats in the state. The economic struggles of Hispanic voters in Florida are taking center stage, with inflation and the cost of living emerging as a major concern for this key demographic. According to recent polling data, 30% of Hispanic voters identified inflation and the cost of living as the most likely issue to influence their votes, highlighting the economic pressures facing many families in the state. In both the overall sample and the Hispanic voter sample, the direction of the country was cited as a close second in importance, with 17% saying it would impact their voting decisions. This widespread concern suggests that voters are increasingly focused on the national implications of local issues. Immigration enforcement has also become a contentious issue in Florida, with opinions sharply divided along party lines. While 85% of Republicans support the Trump administration's efforts to allow local and state policies to cooperate with federal immigration officials, only 18% of Democrats share this view. Florida's midterms have been marked by intense debate over property taxes, with the state Republican Party and Governor Ron DeSantis pushing for a ballot measure to increase exemptions on home values. The proposed amendment, known as Amendment 3, aims to raise the current exemption cap of $50,000 to $250,000 by 2028. According to a recent poll, 55% of all Florida voters support the amendment, while 26% are opposed and 19% remain undecided. Notably, nearly three-quarters (74%) of Republicans back the idea, compared to 36% of Democrats and 43% of independents who also favor it. --- Source: [NBC News Politics](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/florida-poll-republicans-lead-races-governor-senate-rcna601342) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/republican-candidates-hold-leads-in-florida-governor-and-senate-races/