Byron Donalds Elected Florida’s First Black Governor
WHO:
NBC News - Republican Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida’s governor’s race, NBC News projected.
Newsweek - Byron Donalds became Florida’s first Black governor after beating David Jolly.
NPR - Donalds, 48, is a Republican who spent most of his career in finance and served two terms in Congress and two terms in the Florida House.
NPR - Donalds began his political career as a Democrat and left the party in 2010.
NPR - Jolly, 54, served in Congress as a Republican, left the party in 2018, registered as unaffiliated, and switched to the Democratic Party last year. He has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist and television political analyst.
NBC News Politics - Donalds’ victory extends Republicans’ nearly three-decade run in Florida’s Governor’s Mansion.
Fox News - Donalds became the first Black Republican governor in the nation.
NPR - Outgoing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis campaigned with Donalds; NPR described DeSantis as popular in Florida.
WHAT:
NPR - Donalds won against the backdrop of Republican dissatisfaction with Trump over gas prices and the war with Iran.
NPR - The Associated Press called the closely watched Florida governor’s race for Donalds.
NPR - Donalds won with support from President Donald Trump and a sizable campaign-finance war chest.
NPR - Donalds promised to continue DeSantis’ conservative policies and campaigned on affordability, including inflation, housing and insurance.
NPR - Jolly used the slogan “believe in better” and campaigned on housing, inflation, gas prices and the expansion of AI data centers.
NPR - Jolly called Donalds “data center Donalds,” criticizing his campaign contributions from industry participants.
NPR - Donalds introduced legislation that would require data centers to produce their own power and water.
NBC News - Kristen Welker and Ryan Nobles discussed the narrow result and Democrats’ lack of investment in Florida.
WHERE:
NBC News - The governor’s race took place in Florida.
NBC News Politics - Donalds’ victory concerns Florida’s Governor’s Mansion.
WHY:
Newsweek - The contest was influenced by local concerns, including data centers, and national views of Trump and his agenda.
NPR - Donalds’ campaign focused on affordability concerns, including inflation, housing and insurance.
HOW:
BBC News - Donalds was backed by President Donald Trump.
NPR - Several polls showed a close contest favoring Donalds through much of the campaign.
NPR - Florida had about 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats and 3.3 million unaffiliated voters.
NPR - Donalds was an early Trump supporter in the 2024 election, and Trump endorsed him. Donalds rallied with Trump shortly before the election.
NPR - In September, Donalds removed prominent displays of Trump’s name from his campaign website.
NPR - Polls earlier in the year showed Trump was less popular in Florida than DeSantis.
(UPDATED November 4, 2026 07:01 UTC)
Byron Donalds defeated David Jolly, becoming Florida’s first Black governor and extending Republican control. President Trump backed Donalds, who campaigned on affordability and continuing Ron DeSantis’ conservative policies. Jolly focused on housing and inflation, while criticizing Donalds’ ties to data center interests.
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(UPDATED November 4, 2026 04:01 UTC)
Byron Donalds defeated David Jolly to become Florida’s first Black governor, extending Republicans’ long hold. President Trump endorsed Donalds, who campaigned on affordability and continuing Ron DeSantis’ conservative policies. Jolly highlighted housing costs and criticized Donalds’ ties to data center interests.