Byron Donalds elected Florida's first Black governor with Trump endorsement

Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida's closely watched governor's race, according to the Associated Press. Donalds, a former finance executive and two-term U.S. Representative, secured the governorship with the endorsement of President Donald Trump and a substantial campaign fund.

During the campaign, Donalds emphasized affordability concerns such as inflation, housing costs and insurance premiums, pledging to continue the conservative agenda of outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, who campaigned alongside him.

Polls throughout the contest showed a tight race, with Republicans holding a registration advantage of about 1.5 million voters and 3.3 million unaffiliated voters also in play.

"We need to keep Florida affordable for families and businesses," Donalds said at a rally, echoing his focus on economic issues.

Jolly, a former Republican who switched to the Democratic Party in 2023, ran on a "believe in better" platform and criticized Donalds for accepting contributions from data-center operators, a sector Donalds had sought to regulate with legislation requiring self-generated power and water.

The victory marks a historic first for Florida and reflects the continued influence of President Donald Trump in the state's Republican politics.