DeSantis Says Democrats Tie Donalds to Trump

The Florida governor says Democrats are linking gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds to President Donald Trump ahead of the election.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a low government building with a flagpole under a pale sky, in deep red, cream, and navy, evoking Florida's gubernatorial contest. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Democrats are tying gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds to President Donald Trump, citing 49% Democratic early voting as of Election Eve. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Democrats are tying gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds to President Donald Trump in the race. He said 49% of the state's Democratic electorate has already voted as of Election Eve.

Why it matters

The framing positions the governor's race as a referendum on Trump, with gas prices and inflation cited as headwinds for the party in power during a midterm cycle. The outcome will show whether Democratic turnout in Florida is tracking higher than in past cycles.

DeSantis cited that 49% of Florida's Democratic electorate had already voted, against 51% Democratic turnout across the whole election four years ago. Trump's job approval in Florida is 43%, and the final turnout total remains unknown until polls close.

The players

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis is the Republican governor of Florida, first elected in 2018, who has frequently clashed with national Democrats.

Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds is a Republican U.S. Representative from Florida and the party's gubernatorial candidate in the race.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, whose job approval and political standing are central to the race.

David Jolly

David Jolly is a former Republican congressman who is the Democratic gubernatorial nominee running an anti-Trump campaign.

The details

DeSantis made the remarks in an interview with Stephen A. Smith on Election Eve. He said Democrats are repeatedly saying Donalds voted with Trump, and he predicted Democratic turnout will reach the 60s, while noting Republicans have a million super voters who will vote Tuesday for sure. Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly is running an anti-Trump campaign.

2018: DeSantis was elected governor, when a million current Republicans were Democrats or independents.
Four years ago: Democrats turned out 51% of their electorate over the whole election.
Election Eve, November 2, 2026: DeSantis gave the interview and said 49% of the Democratic electorate had voted.
Tuesday: Republican super voters are expected to cast ballots.

Political Context

DeSantis was first elected in 2018, when about a million current Republicans were registered as Democrats or independents, so the 2026 race tests whether that realignment holds. Democratic opponents are making Trump's approval, cited at 43% in Florida, the central issue of the contest.

Florida voters casting ballots Tuesday will decide the governor's race, and turnout levels reported on Election Eve may shift how many polling places and resources are needed. Voters who have not yet cast a ballot should check their county elections office for hours and locations before polls close.

The takeaway

Early turnout figures from both parties will shape how the governor's race is read, but the final tally will show whether the 2018 realignment that carried DeSantis holds under Trump's approval. Readers can track results as they come in on the state's election reporting pages.