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Byron Donalds Elected Florida Governor, Becoming First Black Republican in Role
Byron Donalds Elected Florida Governor, Becoming First Black Republican in Role
Byron Donalds has been elected as Florida’s next governor, securing a narrow victory over Democrat David Jolly with 50.1% of the vote. The win makes Donalds the first Black person to hold the office and extends Republican control of the state’s executive branch for nearly three decades.
Byron Donalds secured a narrow victory in Florida’s gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat David Jolly with 50.1% of the vote to become the state’s first Black governor, according to Associated Press projections.
Donalds delivered his victory speech from the Seminole Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel in Davie, framing the win as a reaffirmation of Republican strength in the Sunshine State. Addressing President Donald Trump directly, he stated, “Mr. President, I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red,” Fox News reported.
The 48-year-old Republican revealed that Trump was the second person to call him with congratulations after the results were projected. Donalds thanked the president for his support and for “standing in his corner throughout the race.” He also praised outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, vowing to build on the former governor’s legacy to keep Florida “the very best state in America.”
“This might be the shortest speech I’ve given on the campaign trail but it doesn’t need to be long,” Donalds told the crowd. “Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we work and over the next four years we’re going to take Florida to a whole new level.”
Donalds will be sworn in on January 5, 2027, when DeSantis’s term concludes. His election extends Republican control of the governor’s mansion for nearly three decades.
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021, Donalds previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. He represented the state’s 19th Congressional District and was endorsed by President Trump more than a year before the Republican primary.
Donalds moved to Florida from New York for college, attending Florida A&M University before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University. He currently resides in Naples with his wife, Erika, and their children. His political career began with involvement in the conservative Tea Party movement in 2010 after working in banking, finance, and insurance.
M.Marie--PS
