Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Wednesday that he is encouraged by his commanding lead in Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary but said the race is far from over.
"We feel good, but we take nothing for granted," he told "Carl Higbie FRONTLINE," noting that Republicans will choose their nominee in less than six weeks.
Donalds holds a 40-point lead in the RealClearPolitics average of Republican primary polls ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with 47.2% support compared with 7.2% for businessman James Fishback. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner trail in single digits.
"The Republican primary is going to be decided in 41 days, 40 days starting tomorrow," he said.
"We're looking very strong. We're going to continue to work hard every single day and earn the vote from the people of Florida this November."
President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds early in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Polling also shows Donalds leading prospective Democrat opponents in the general election.
Donalds said the campaign is ultimately about preserving Florida's conservative direction.
"It's about making sure that the people of Florida remember that we're the No. 1 state in America," he said. "People are choosing Florida for the Florida dream."
He argued that electing a Democrat would threaten the state's trajectory.
"We cannot let the Democrats get a foothold in our state because they will do what they're trying to do to Arizona, what they're trying to do to Virginia, or, worse, what's happened to New York and Illinois," Donalds said.
Calling Florida "the No. 1 state," Donalds said Republicans must keep it that way based on “commonsense, conservative policies."
"And we're going to win this November and be Florida's next governor," he said.
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