Donalds, Jolly Win Governor Primaries, Will Face Off In General Election
August 19, 2026
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds fended off challenges from 10 other Republicans in Tuesday’s primary to carry his party’s nomination for governor into the general election.
He’ll face former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a former Republican who switched parties and easily defeated five other Democrats.
Donalds called on Republicans to come together and immediately focused on Jolly.
“Now is the time for the Republican Party to unite. By working together, we can make Florida more affordable and defend the Florida Dream for our families, seniors, and young people,” Donalds posted on X. “My Democrat (sic) opponent would raise taxes, make life more expensive, and bring the Democrats’ radical left agenda to the Sunshine State – Florida cannot afford Liberal David Jolly.”
Donalds, 47, faced vocal opposition from Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former House Speaker Paul Renner and conservative activist James Fishback.
As of Tuesday evening, Donalds had 48 percent of the vote, while Collins received 25 percent, Fishback had 10 percent and Renner had 9 percent.
Jolly, 53, brushed aside his opposition, taking 62 percent of the vote. The next-largest vote-getter in the Democratic primary was Dayna Marie Foster, who received 15 percent, and state Rep. Dotie Joseph of North Miami garnered 10 percent.
Jolly also was eager to pivot to the general election.
“We’re a state gripped by an affordability crisis and exhausted by culture wars. People want change,” Jolly said in a video posted on X.
Backed by an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Donalds dominated the field and easily outraised his opponents, raking in more than $110 million. Much of the money he spent in the primary was aimed at Jolly, with ads bashing him for supporting transgender issues, such as allowing transgender women in women’s bathrooms and to play in female sports.
But Donalds bore the brunt of attacks from Collins and Renner, who accused him of being weak on crime, favoring data center construction and slammed him for refusing to debate them.
At one point Collins sued to kick Fishback off the ballot, alleging his voting record in Washington D.C. in 2020 and the purchase of a primary residence there in 2021 showed he didn’t live for seven consecutive years in Florida as required by the state constitution. A Leon County judge, though, rejected the suit saying there wasn’t enough evidence.
Collins campaigned heavily on his military background as a Green Beret who had his leg amputated due to injuries sustained in Iraq, as well as his appointment by DeSantis at lieutenant governor in August 2025. He even tapped DeSantis’ Director of Emergency Management, Kevin Guthrie, to be his running mate on Monday evening.
But DeSantis never formally endorsed Collins or anyone else in the campaign, although he specifically criticized Donalds.
After initially saying Renner’s decision to enter the race in 2025 was misguided, DeSantis this month said he would make a “good governor.”
Renner touted his term as Speaker in 2022-2024 in which much of DeSantis’ conservative agenda was passed, including universal school vouchers, bans on transgender surgery for minors, eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and a bill allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a license.
The efforts of Donalds’ opponents, however, ran into a wall of campaign ads and implicit trust in Trump among the GOP electorate.
In the Democratic primary, Jolly waltzed to victory over Foster and Joseph, who got in the race at the end of qualifying, after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out due to a cancer diagnosis.
Joseph wanted to give Democrats an alternative to Jolly, a former Republican who moved away from the GOP as Trump rose to prominence. But she had minimal fundraising and low name recognition throughout the state.
by Gray Rohrer, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Byron Donalds (left) and David Jolly.
Patronis Wins Primary, Will Face Valimont In November
August 19, 2026
U.S. House District 1 incumbent Jimmy Patronis won the GOP primary on Tuesday to head to the general election.
Patronis received 71.14% of the vote, easily defeating challengers John Frankman (19.51%) and Douglas Chico (9.35%).
Patronis will face Democrat Gay Valimont in November.
Meet The Ernest Ward Middle School ‘A Team’
August 19, 2026
The Ernest Ward Middle School “A Team” gathered for a group photo on Tuesday morning to celebrate the school’s ‘A’ grade.
The teachers and staff wore matching “A School” t-shirts, sponsored by David’s Catfish in Atmore.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Sweep Escambia Tuesday
August 19, 2026
The Tate High School Aggies made quick work of their road trip Tuesday evening, cruising to a decisive 3-0 straight-set victory over the Escambia High School Gators.
Tate set the tone early in the opening set, controlling the net and capitalizing on service runs to build an insurmountable lead, closing out the frame 25-6.
The momentum carried seamlessly into the second set, where the Aggies delivered their most dominant stretch of the night. Strong defense and relentless attacking kept the Gators out of system, resulting in a swift 25-4 set win.
Escambia showed some fight in the third set, putting together a few rallies to reach nine points, but Tate’s offense remained too efficient to slow down. The Aggies sealed the sweep with a 25-9 victory to finish the match.
Next up, the Aggies will travel to Navarre on Thursday.
District 2 Escambia Commissioner Kohler Wins Republican Primary
August 19, 2026
Incumber Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler won the Republican primary on Tuesday.
Escambia Commissioner District 2
- Mike Kohler 62.26% ✅
- Glenn Dorsey 37.74%
In November, Kohler will face Democratic challenger Mathious Robinson.
Wahoos, Smokies Suspended by Rain
August 19, 2026
Tuesday’s series opener between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Knoxville Smokies was suspended due to rain with the Smokies leading 9-0 in the top of the second inning.
The Smokies scored nine runs in the top of the first inning, and the game was halted with a runner at first and no outs in the top of the second.
After waiting approximately an hour, the game was suspended. It will be picked up Wednesday at 4:05 p.m, and the regularly scheduled game will follow approximately 30 minutes after its conclusion. In accordance with MLB’s rules and regulations, the second game will be shortened to seven innings.
Fans with tickets to Wednesday’s game will have admittance to both games in the seat listed on their ticket. Fans with tickets to Tuesday’s suspended game can exchange them for any remaining regular season game, subject to availability. Each ticket must be exchanged at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person and cannot be processed via telephone, e-mail or fax.
Homeless Woman Wanted for Attempted Homicide After Cantonment Shed Shooting
August 18, 2026
A homeless woman is wanted for attempted homicide after a Sunday night shooting in Cantonment, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at a residence on Woodbury Place, off Woodbury Circle.
According to the ECSO, the homeowner had allowed the woman to stay in a shed on his property. Sunday night, while standing outside, the woman fired a gun through the closed shed door, striking the man while he was inside. She then fled the scene.
Deputies searched the area using patrol units, a drone, and a K-9 team, but were unable to locate her.
The victim refused medical treatment from Escambia County EMS.
Deputies said the woman will face an attempted homicide charge. Her identity has not yet been released.
FDLE Arrests McDavid Man On Multiple Felony Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
August 18, 2026
State authorities arrested a McDavid man on multiple felony child sexual exploitation charges on Monday
James Thomas McDuffie, 49, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on multiple Florida Department of Law Enforcement charges including two counts of creating, producing, or possessing computer-generated or altered child sexual abuse material, 20 counts of possessing, promoting, or distributing child sexual abuse material or child pornography, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail at noon on Monday. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $301,000.
Complete details on the charges and allegations against McDuffie were not immediately available on Monday.
This story will be updates as more details are released.
Updated: School Street In Jay Closure Extended Through Friday For Well Repairs
August 18, 2026
An ongoing road closure at a key intersection in Jay has been extended through the end of the week to allow crews to complete municipal utility work.
The intersection of School Street at Alabama Street (Highway 89) will now remain closed through Friday, August 21, at 5 p.m. The closure originally began on Wednesday, August 12, to allow the Town of Jay to repair a water well located at the intersection.
School Street is closed from Highway 89 extending approximately 200 feet to the west.
Motorists will not be able to turn from Alabama Street onto School Street while work is underway. Drivers needing to access School Street are instructed to detour using Spring Street.
Residents with questions or seeking additional information can contact the Town of Jay directly at (850) 675-4556.
Northview FFA President Grace Oliver Selected As Florida National FFA Delegate
August 18, 2026
Grace Oliver of the Northview High School FFA Chapter has been selected by Florida FFA to represent the state as a national delegate at the National FFA Convention and Expo in late October.
Oliver joins a select group of 26 past and current state FFA officers and district officers chosen to represent Florida in the national delegation process. As delegates, they will collaborate to create, debate, and vote on national policy representing an organization of over 1 million student members across the country.
Selection as a national delegate is a rare distinction for the local area, with only two other area students chosen in recent years: Isabelle Jenkins of the Florida Virtual School FFA Chapter and Ona Spinks of the Northview FFA Chapter.
Oliver has been an active FFA member since the eighth grade at Ernest Ward Middle School and has served on the Northview FFA Chapter executive committee for four years. She currently serves as both the District 1 FFA President and the Northview FFA President. Most recently, she represented her chapter and district at the state level, competing in Parliamentary Procedure and Livestock Evaluation.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.