Politics
Byron Donalds wins Florida's governor race, becoming its first Black governor
November 4, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Coverage
2 reports · over 2 hours
Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida's gubernatorial election, becoming the first Black governor in the state's history.
- Donalds, a close ally of President Donald Trump, will succeed Ron DeSantis, who was barred from seeking another term.
- The Associated Press called the race with Donalds ahead of Jolly by less than two percentage points.
- Jolly defended an attack ad criticized as evoking the "angry Black man" stereotype and accused Donalds of not supporting the Black community.
- Donalds raised more than $130 million and won the general election without participating in any debates.

