Latest news with #UNF
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ryan Gear posts 67 at Timuquana to take the first-round lead in Jacksonville Amateur
Ryan Gear of St. Augustine went on a birdie run in the middle of his round and with a 5-under 67, grabbed a one-shot lead in the first round of the Jacksonville Amateur Golf Association Championship in July 24 at the Timuquana Country Club. Gear, who played high school golf at Nease and has followed his father Sean in playing for Embry-Riddle, leads Lance LaCombe of Jacksonville (68) by one shot. Gear began his round at No. 10, was 1-over through five holes, then birdied Nos. 15, 16, 18 and 1, and bounced back from a bogey at the second hole with birdies at Nos. 4 and 7 wrapped around an eagle at the par-5 sixth. LaCombe also had a hot streak during his round. He birdied four of six holes from Nos. 5 through 10, and ended the day with a birdie at No. 18. Past and future North Florida Ospreys in the mix Five players posted 3-under 69, former University of North Florida player Joe Stepnes, Luke Splane of St. Augustine, Colton Swartz of Fleming Island and Cameron Reed and Landon Durham of Ponte Vedra Beach. Splane is a rising senior at St. Augustine High School, Swartz is a junior at Florida Southern and Reed is a freshman at Furman. Five more players are tied at 2-under 70, led by past JAGA champion and former UNF player Jordan Batchelor, UNF sophomore Danny Erickson of Ponte Vedra, incoming UNF freshman Luke Balaskiewicz of Jacksonville, Mercer sophomore Connor Holcroft of Ponte Vedra and Kennesaw State freshman Ryan Nicholson of Ponte Vedra. The temperatures were hot but the scores low for the opening round of the first JAGA Amateur ever played at the historic Donald Ross course. Twenty players are under par. The field will be cut in half after the second round on July 25 and the final round will be July 26. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ryan Gear rides birdie streak to take Jacksonville Amateur lead
Newsweek
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Casey DeSantis Edges Out Byron Donalds in New Florida Governor Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis held a narrow lead over Representative Byron Donalds in a new University of North Florida (UNF) poll of the state's 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary. Newsweek reached out to Donalds' campaign and the DeSantis office for comment via email Why It Matters Florida's 2026 gubernatorial race is closely watched, as Governor Ron DeSantis cannot run again due to term limits. Donalds, who has announced his campaign, is viewed as an early frontrunner, having received support from President Donald Trump. But first lady DeSantis' potential candidacy remains a key question ahead of the midterm elections. What To Know Thirty-two percent of respondents said they would vote for DeSantis if she chooses to run, according to the University of North Florida's Public Opinion Research Lab survey of 797 Republican voters from July 14 to July 22. Donalds closely followed with support from 29 percent of Republicans. Former Representative Matt Gaetz had support from 8 percent of respondents, while 2 percent backed Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson had support from 1 percent of respondents. An additional 18 percent said they were not sure who they would vote for in the primary. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa on January 13, 2024. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa on January 13, margin of error for the poll was +/- 3.9 percentage points. While DeSantis led in the overall sample, Donalds led among voters who participated in the 2024 GOP primary by 37 percent to 22 percent, according to the poll. A St. Pete Polls survey, conducted July 8 to July 10, 2025, showed Donalds with a lead (35 percent to 27 percent). The poll sampled 831 likely Republican primary voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. A May 2025 poll by the James Madison Institute, a conservative Tallahassee think tank, showed DeSantis with a one-point lead over Donald (29 percent to 28 percent). However, when respondents were informed of Trump's endorsement of Representative Donalds, his support jumped to 44 percent, while DeSantis' fell to 25 percent. That poll surveyed 516 registered voters from May 5 to May 7, 2025, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.77 percentage points. On the Democratic side, former Representative David Jolly, who served in Congress as a Republican but has switched parties, has made a formal campaign announcement. Former Senate Democratic leader Jason Pizzo is running as an independent. What People Are Saying Dr. Michael Binder, UNF PORL faculty director and professor of political science, wrote in the polling memo: "Casey DeSantis was an early favorite when we asked about this in fall of 2023 with 22%, ahead of Donalds with 9%, and 40% undecided, but after Trump's endorsement of Donalds and as we get closer to August 2026, DeSantis's lead has all but disappeared, now inside the margin of error for this poll." Donalds on CBN News, according to Florida Politics: "I have the support of President Donald Trump. I have the support of [Florida's GOP] Senator Rick Scott. I have the support of most of the Republican congressional delegation. And we're picking up steam every single day. I've been crisscrossing the state nonstop for the last six weeks, except when I'm here doing my job here in Washington." Casey DeSantis on whether she'll run for governor, in remarks reported by the Florida Phoenix: "We'll see." What Happens Next The Republican primary for Florida governor is scheduled for August 18, 2026. As of July 2025, Byron Donalds is the highest-profile candidate to have officially entered the field. The race between Donalds and DeSantis remains fluid, with candidate announcements, campaign developments, and evolving voter priorities shaping the contest in the months ahead. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as being Safe Republican.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UNF poll: Casey DeSantis now leads Byron Donalds in race for Florida governor
A University of North Florida poll released July 24 shows First Lady Casey DeSantis leading U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds 32%-29% in a hypothetical matchup for the GOP nomination for governor. The survey, conducted July 14-22 with 797 active registered Republicans, showed 18% of respondents were undecided, 8% favor former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, 2% want Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, 1% like Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and another 7% want 'someone else.' Donalds is the only person on the list to have officially gotten in the governor's race. The results, however, run against the data from recent polls showing Donalds with a sizable lead. St. Pete Polls' July 14 survey had Donalds leading DeSantis 35%-27%. A May poll commissioned by Tallahassee conservative think tank James Madison Institute had Donalds up 44%-25% over DeSantis. Dr. Michael Binder, UNF Public Opinion Research Lab faculty director and professor of political science, also noted Donalds has closed the gap on DeSantis from UNF's poll last fall, when she held a 22%-9% lead. But since then Donalds has officially jumped in the race and picked up the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Moreover, among respondents who voted in the 2024 GOP primary, Donalds leads DeSantis 37%-22%. 'It's important to note that among folks who voted in the last primary, Donalds is 15 points ahead of DeSantis, and it's likely those same folks will be the ones voting next August, so this race might not actually be as close as it appears,' Binder said in a statement. DeSantis, whose husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, is term-limited and can't run in 2026, hasn't said she'll get in the race. When asked, she offered a cryptic Yogi Berra quote: 'When you come to a fork in the road, take it,' and said 'we'll see.' The UNF poll didn't include Democrats, third party voters or no-party-affiliated (NPA) voters. Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly is the only major declared Democratic candidate. State Sen. Jason Pizzo of Sunny Isles Beach, who left the Democratic Party to become an NPA member of the Legislature, has said he'll run for governor as well. Other issues: property insurance, housing, immigration Other results of the poll show GOP voters see property insurance as the most important problem facing the state. Twenty percent of respondents cited that issue as the most important, followed by housing costs (16%), immigration (15%) and the economy/jobs/inflation (13%). Trump's approval rating stands at 82% favorable, 14% unfavorable among respondents, with 2% saying they didn't know. The Republican survey respondents also are in favor of Trump's immigration enforcement measures and Gov. DeSantis' efforts to support them. About 54% of respondents said immigration enforcement in Florida has 'been about right,' with 25% saying it has 'not gone far enough' and 17% saying it has 'gone too far.' And 53% said they 'strongly support' immigration authorities searching their communities for suspected illegal immigrants, with another 22% 'somewhat' supportive. There were 22% opposed to those measures. The new Aligator Alcatraz detention center in South Florida that has spurred a backlash from Democrats has plenty of support from GOP respondents. The center has a 65% approval rating, with 21% unfavorable, according to the survey. Another 7% hadn't heard of it and another 7% were unsure. But the poll respondents say they would be less forgiving if immigration authorities were to make a mistake and deport a U.S. citizen. Seventy-three percent of respondents said it wouldn't be acceptable, while 23% were willing to accept such a mistake as part of the deportation efforts. Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@ Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Casey DeSantis leads Byron Donalds in governor's race, UNF poll says Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Poll: Florida Republicans prefer Casey DeSantis for governor over Trump pick U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds
A new poll from the University of North Florida shows Casey DeSantis leading Byron Donalds by a slim margin among Florida Republicans in the 2026 gubernatorial primary race. The poll, conducted by UNF's Public Opinion Research Lab, indicates that if the election were held today, 32percent of registered Republican voters would support Casey DeSantis, while 29 percent would back Byron Donalds. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< This narrow lead highlights the competitive nature of the potential primary matchup, although Casey DeSantis, Gov. Ron DeSantis' wife, has not announced a run for the office.. 'It's important to note that among folks who voted in the last primary, Donalds is 15 points ahead of DeSantis,' said Michael Binder, UNF PORL faculty director and professor of political science. The poll also revealed that Casey DeSantis holds more support among women, Hispanics and Latinos, and voters in north and central Florida. In contrast, Byron Donalds is favored by men, respondents aged 65 and older, and voters in South Florida. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] In addition to the primary race, the survey asked respondents about their views on key issues. Property insurance emerged as the top concern, with 20 percent of respondents citing it as the most important issue facing Florida. Housing costs and immigration followed closely behind. The poll also measured favorability ratings for public figures, with President Donald Trump receiving an 82 percent approval rating among the respondents, indicating his continued influence within the Republican base. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Poll: Florida Republicans split between Casey DeSantis, Byron Donalds for governor
A new public poll released on Thursday sends mixed signals to first lady Casey DeSantis should she decide to run for governor in 2026. The poll, conducted by the University of North Florida, shows that she is slightly ahead of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds among registered Republican voters. Donalds has been endorsed in the race by President Donald Trump and would be her main opposition in a Republican primary. But her lead — 32% support compared to his 29% support — is within the margin of error, meaning the Republican gubernatorial primary could be tied or Donalds could even be slightly ahead among these voters. 'Casey DeSantis was an early favorite when we asked about this in fall of 2023,' Michael Binder, who leads the Public Opinion Research Lab at UNF that did the poll, said in a press release. But after Trump's endorsement of Donalds, her lead 'has all but disappeared.' And among Republicans who voted in last year's primary, Donalds is ahead by 15 points. Further complicating the matter is the Hope Florida Foundation saga, revealed in a Herald/Times investigative series this spring. According to the poll, two-thirds of Florida Republicans are still unaware of the charity that funneled $10 million from a Medicaid settlement to two-dark money groups that then gave similar amounts to a political committee intent on defeating the recreational marijuana amendment on last year's ballot. There's at least one criminal probe into the transfers of money. 'While their lack of knowledge helps Casey DeSantis now, the Donalds campaign and others are sure to campaign on the scandal and, as Republican voters learn more, she's likely to lose some support,' said Dr. Sean Freeder, a UNF professor of political science. Most Republican voters — 57% – said they view the first lady favorably, compared to 43% for Donalds. She has higher name recognition, too. Only 19% of respondents had never heard of her, compared to 40% who had never heard of him. Here are the groups with whom the first lady leads: Women Hispanics and Latinos North and central Florida voters Voters under the age of 65 Here are the groups with whom Donalds leads: MenVoters over the age of 65South Florida votersVoters from the 2024 Florida Republican primary Former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, now a conservative news anchor, had 8% support among respondents. There were still 18% who were undecided.
