Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds won Florida’s governor’s race on Tuesday, defeating Democrat David Jolly and becoming the state’s first Black governor, the Associated Press reported, in a story carried by OPB.

Donalds will succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was barred from seeking a third term. He is due to be sworn in as Florida’s 47th governor on January 5, 2027, Fox 35 Orlando reported. Results remain unofficial until certified, WFTV noted.

Jolly is a former Republican congressman who switched parties and ran a centrist campaign. The AP said the race was seen as unexpectedly competitive late in the campaign. Donalds portrayed Jolly as an out-of-touch liberal and courted Black voters, who traditionally side with Democrats.

Donalds served two terms in the Florida House starting in 2016 and was elected to Congress in 2020 for Florida’s 19th district. He became a leading voice in the House Freedom Caucus.