Trump to rally in Daytona Beach for 2026 midterms

President Donald Trump will hold a campaign event in Daytona Beach on Friday as he enters the final phase of his midterm tour. The stop is the latest in a series of rallies designed to boost Republican candidates across Florida.

The primary target of the event is Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for governor. Donalds is challenging David Jolly, a Democrat who previously served in the U.S. House as a Republican. While Donalds leads in polling, the contest is viewed as competitive. This marks a sharp contrast to 2022, when Ron DeSantis secured reelection with a margin of nearly 20 points.

Trump is also expected to support several congressional candidates during the visit. Among them is Ashley Moody, who is seeking a second term in the U.S. Senate. Moody was appointed to the seat by DeSantis in 2025 following Marco Rubio's move to the State Department. She faces Angie Nixon, a state representative and Democrat, in a special election bid.

The Daytona Beach district is home to another freshman House member, Randy Fine. Fine was sworn into office in April 2025 after winning a special election to replace Mike Waltz. Waltz left Congress to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration.

Florida recently redrew its congressional maps ahead of the November vote. The state currently has 20 of 28 House seats held by Republicans. The new district lines may allow that number to increase, adding to the stakes for the candidates Trump will support.