Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida's governor's race
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds won Florida’s governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties. Donalds will become Florida’s first Black governor and the nation’s first elected Black Republican governor, according to Stateline. He will succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis and take office Jan. 5. Trump endorsed Donalds.
More context
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida’s governor’s race Tuesday, making Donalds the state’s first Black governor. NBC News and ABC News projected his victory, and the Associated Press called the race. Donalds is the first Black person elected to statewide office in Florida and the nation’s first elected Black Republican governor, Stateline reported. WUSF reported that Donalds is set to assume the governorship on Jan. 5, following term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The contest was closer than expected: WUSF said Donalds led by around 1.5 percentage points, while First Coast News reported a margin of about 100,000 votes. Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties, ran as a Democrat. Donalds was endorsed by Donald Trump and thanked him in his victory speech.
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Reporting
- NBC News — GOP Rep. Byron Donalds defeats David Jolly, becoming Florida’s first Black governor
- ABC7 News — These candidates made history in the 2026 midterm elections - ABC7 San Francisco
- PBS News — WATCH: Republican Byron Donalds speaks after winning election for governor in Florida | PBS News
- BBC News — Florida Republicans fend off Democrats as state elects first black governor
- caribbeannationalweekly.com — Byron Donalds wins Florida governor's race
- firstcoastnews.com — Byron Donalds becomes Florida's first Black governor | Live Election Results | firstcoastnews.com
- wusf.org — Republican Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race | WUSF
- stateline.org — In historic night, voters elect first Black woman, first Black Republican as governors • Stateline
Verifier’s note
All eight results report Byron Donalds winning Florida’s governor’s race and becoming the state’s first Black governor. The reports appeared on election night and the following morning, consistent with a current event.