Florida primaries yield historic Black nominees and set stage for November contests
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
In Florida's open primary, State Rep. Angie Nixon secured the Democratic Senate nomination, while Rep. Byron Donalds became the GOP's first Black gubernatorial nominee; Republicans also nominated Ashley Moody for the Senate and former Republican David Jolly for governor.
State Rep. Angie Nixon won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, positioning her as the potential first Black senator from the state if she prevails in November. Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, attributed her victory to voter frustration with the party establishment.
Rep. Byron Donalds captured the Republican nomination for governor, becoming the party's first Black candidate for the office. Donalds, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, defeated several GOP rivals, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. He said he will not rely solely on the president’s endorsement in the general election.
Former state attorney general Ashley Moody secured the Republican nomination to finish the remainder of the Senate term vacated by Marco Rubio, who left the seat to serve as secretary of state. Moody, who was appointed to the seat in 2025, will face Nixon in the November race.
Former Republican congressman David Jolly, now a Democrat, won the Democratic nomination for governor alongside former Democratic Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate. Jolly, who left the GOP and criticized President Trump, described his platform as a blend of pro-business policies and limited government.
Other notable outcomes included the re-election of incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska and the completion of voting in Wyoming’s primary. Election officials noted that vote counting in Wyoming typically begins within half an hour after polls close.
The primaries also highlighted the growing presence of progressive candidates within the Democratic Party and the Republican Party’s focus on combating what they describe as socialist influences in upcoming contests.