Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race, makes history as first black governor

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds has defeated Democrat David Jolly to become Florida’s next governor, extending the GOP’s nearly three-decade hold on the Governor’s Mansion.

NBC News projects that Donalds, endorsed early by President Donald Trump, will become Florida’s first Black governor when sworn in next year. He raised $130 million, and Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994.

“Even if you didn’t vote for me, you have my word that I will be your governor, too,” Donalds told a crowd of Republicans at the Hard Rock hotel on Tuesday night.

Jolly, a former Republican congressman turned Democrat, kept the race closer than the last contest, which outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis won by over 20 points. He declined to debate Donalds, saying: “You can’t debate a liar.” Donalds attacked him as too far left for Florida.

Donalds will become Florida’s fifth consecutive Republican governor.