Republican Congressman Byron Donalds has been elected Florida’s first Black governor, making history in the state following his victory over Democratic candidate David Jolly in the November 3 midterm elections.
The victory, projected by CBS News, marks a significant political milestone in Florida, which has never had a Black governor in its 180-year history.
Donalds, a prominent supporter of United States President Donald Trump, currently represents Southwest Florida in the US House of Representatives. He will take over from incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis, who could not seek re-election because of the constitutional restriction on serving three consecutive terms.
With his election, Donalds becomes the fourth Black American to be elected governor in the history of the United States.
The three previous Black governors were Douglas Wilder of Virginia, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Wes Moore of Maryland, all of whom were elected on the Democratic Party platform, according to The Associated Press.
Donalds' victory is particularly notable as he becomes the first Black Republican to govern a Southern state, further broadening the historical significance of his emergence.
Several Black candidates contested gubernatorial elections during the 2026 midterm cycle under both major political parties, making the elections a landmark moment for Black political representation in the country.
Despite the historical implications of his candidacy, Donalds deliberately avoided making race the defining issue of his campaign.
In a March interview with CBS News Miami's Jim DeFede, he recognised the significance of potentially becoming the first Black Republican governor in the South but argued that his political philosophy and conservative policy positions were more important campaign considerations.
Donalds, first elected to Congress in 2020, secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination in August with Trump's backing, giving him a major advantage in the party's primary contest.
His campaign centred on reducing taxes, tackling the high cost of property insurance and expanding educational opportunities across Florida.
He also made attracting Black voters a key part of his electoral strategy, seeking to improve Republican support among a demographic that has traditionally leaned towards the Democratic Party.
Speaking to CBS News in October, Donalds disclosed that his campaign was targeting more than 20 per cent of the Black vote in the state.
His victory ensures the continuation of Republican control of Florida's governorship, a position the party has held since 1999.
Jolly, his Democratic opponent, was himself a former Republican congressman before switching parties and seeking the governorship under the Democratic banner.
He campaigned largely on the cost-of-living crisis, housing affordability and rising property insurance premiums, which have remained major concerns for Florida residents.
However, his efforts were insufficient to prevent Donalds from securing victory, extending the Republican Party's dominance in a state that has increasingly tilted towards the right in recent election cycles.
Beyond its immediate political implications, Donalds' election is expected to remain a defining moment in Florida's political history, given the racial significance of his emergence and the fact that he achieved the milestone as a Republican.
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