Republican Congressman Byron Donalds has made history in the United States after emerging victorious in Florida’s November 3 gubernatorial election, becoming the first Black person to be elected governor of the state.
Donalds defeated Democratic challenger David Jolly, with projections by CBS News confirming his victory in the closely watched contest.
The lawmaker, who is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, will take over from outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, who could not seek another consecutive term due to constitutional term limits.
His election marks a significant moment in Florida’s political history, as the state has never had a Black governor since its establishment about 180 years ago.
Donalds also becomes one of the few Black politicians to have won a governorship in the United States. Before his victory, only three Black Americans had been elected governors: Douglas Wilder of Virginia, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Wes Moore of Maryland. All three contested under the Democratic Party.
Despite the historic importance of his candidacy, Donalds largely avoided making race a major issue during his campaign. Instead, he focused on his political beliefs and plans for the state.
He had earlier acknowledged the possibility of becoming the first Black Republican governor of a Southern state but maintained that his priority was delivering on conservative policies.
Donalds entered the US House of Representatives in 2020 and secured the Republican ticket for the governorship in August 2026, following an endorsement from Trump.
His campaign focused on reducing taxes, bringing down property insurance costs and improving educational opportunities. He also made efforts to attract more Black voters to the Republican Party, setting a target of securing over 20 per cent of their votes in Florida.
His victory further strengthens Republican dominance in Florida, where the party has controlled the governor’s office since 1999.
Meanwhile, Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later joined the Democratic Party, built his campaign around the rising cost of living, housing affordability and increasing insurance expenses.
The outcome represents another major political victory for Republicans in a state that has increasingly supported the party in recent elections.
