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Byron Donalds Wins Florida Governor's Race Over David Jolly
· Confirmed
In Short: Florida Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democratic challenger David Jolly in the governor's race.
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds has won the governor's race, defeating Democratic challenger David Jolly.
The Associated Press called the race for Donalds at 9:09 p.m., with over 95 percent of the votes counted.
Donalds led Jolly by just 1.3 percent, or less than 102,000 votes, in a nail-biting finish.
Donalds, who will become Florida's first Black governor, received 50.1 percent of the vote, while Jolly garnered 48.6 percent.
Donalds thanked his supporters and congratulated Jolly on a hard-fought race.
He also received a call from former President Donald Trump, who praised Florida.
Donalds emphasized his commitment to building upon the success of outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis.
Donalds also highlighted his efforts to capture a significant portion of the Black vote, which had been a challenge for DeSantis.
The victory keeps the governor's office in Republican hands and marks a historic milestone for Florida.
Donalds served in Congress since 2021 and was backed by President Trump, who had considered him as a potential running mate in 2024.
What this adds
Donalds' victory is a historic moment for Florida, as he becomes the state's first Black Republican governor.
The race was closely watched and marked a significant shift in Florida's political landscape.
Despite Jolly's efforts to appeal to voters, Donalds secured a narrow but decisive victory.
The Associated Press called the race with over 95 percent of the votes counted, confirming Donalds' lead.
Background
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds has won the governor's race, defeating Democrat David Jolly.
What's confirmed
- The Republican will become the state’s first Black governor.
- Republican Byron Donalds beat Democrat David Jolly in Florida's closely watched governor's race.
- With 98% of the vote counted, Donalds had 4,091,479 votes, or 50.1%, while Jolly had 3,973,714 votes, or 48.6%, according to the figures cited by ANI.
- The Republican congressman has won the race for governor of Florida, defeating Democrat David Jolly.
- The Associated Press called the race in Donalds' favor at 9:09 p.m.
- Byron Donalds to make history as the first Black Republican ever elected governor.
- Join Press Pass from PBS News "I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red," Donalds told the crowd.
- Donalds’ victory keeps the governor’s office in Republican hands while marking a historic milestone for Florida.
- The Associated Press called the race for Democrat challenger Gina Hinojosa, who becomes the state's first Latina governor.
- "I am humbled and grateful beyond measure. As your Governor, I will give you everything I have," Donalds wrote in an X post after he won.
What's still developing
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) officially has his successor lined up, as Floridians voted for Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) to take over as the next leader of the Sunshine State in what turned out to be a true nail-biter.
- Florida also recovered payroll jobs much sooner than Pennsylvania.
- During a summer interview with Breitbart News last year, Donalds said his governorship in the state would be about taking the success of Gov. DeSantis and building upon it.
- "I am humbled and grateful beyond measure," Donalds said in a victory statement posted to X.
- Byron Donalds (R-FL) attends a midterm campaign rally on October 1, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida.
- Search donors to governors and discover which industries and special interest groups are supporting state leaders.
- Weeks before the election, Donalds said he was looking to capture “north of 20%” of the black vote, after only around 13% of the demographic backed DeSantis’s reelection bid in 2022.
- OCHOPEE, Florida – The controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention centre, a costly Florida facility that became a symbol of US President Donald Trump’s deportation drive, has shut down after less than a year in operation, officials said on June 25.
- "Hello, Florida. We love you, Florida," Trump said.
- The governor, alongside federal immigration officials, confirmed at a press conference in Ochopee that demobilization efforts were underway at the site he said has facilitated almost 21,000 deportations.
- Two other Black Republicans were running for governor Tuesday: Lisa Demuth in Minnesota and John James in Michigan.
- Maine's Senate race was mired in controversy after Democratic nominee Graham Planter withdrew following multiple scandals.