WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Fox News Decision Desk projected Byron Donalds defeating David Jolly to become Florida’s first Black governor.
  • Donalds also became the first Black Republican elected governor in the nation’s history.
  • The Trump endorsed congressman campaigned on continuing and building upon Gov. Ron DeSantis’ conservative agenda.
  • Donalds pledged to address affordability, public safety, and investment in young people while preserving Florida’s success.

Rep. Byron Donalds made Florida history Tuesday, becoming the first Black politician to win a gubernatorial election in the state, according to a Fox News Decision Desk projection. His victory also makes him the first Black Republican elected governor anywhere in the nation.

The Florida Republican defeated Democratic rival and former Rep. David Jolly in a close contest for the governor’s office. Donalds, a three term congressman from southwest Florida, will succeed Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who could not run again because of term limits.

The result places a leading House ally of President Donald Trump and prominent MAGA champion in charge of the nation’s third most populous state. Donalds has also built a growing national profile.

In a victory statement posted to X, Donalds wrote, “I am humbled and grateful beyond measure.”

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He also promised, “As your Governor, I will give you everything I have. We are going to make life in Florida more affordable.”

Donalds said his administration would work to keep streets safe and invest in young people so they could attain what he called the Florida Dream. His message focused on protecting the state’s standing while pursuing further improvements.

“Florida is the envy of the nation. I will fight day and night to keep it that way and to lift our state to even greater heights.”

In an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Donalds discussed Florida’s economic growth and his campaign for governor. He addressed his support for Trump and outlined plans for handling key issues facing the state.

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A central piece of Donalds’ campaign was his promise to continue and build upon DeSantis’ conservative agenda. Trump endorsed Donalds in February of last year, even before the congressman formally entered the race.

Donalds announced his candidacy during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity.” With Trump behind him, he won nearly half the vote in Florida’s August Republican gubernatorial primary.

That primary field included Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and business executive James Fishback. Donalds emerged from the crowded competition and went on to face Jolly in the general election.

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Donalds drew attention in late September when some references to Trump were removed from his campaign website as Trump’s approval ratings had continued to decline.

A New York City native, Donalds moved to Florida to attend college and later worked in finance, insurance, and banking. Once a Democrat, he became a Republican in 2010 during the Tea Party movement, won election to the Florida House in 2016, served two terms, and then secured a seat in Congress.

Jolly, a Florida native, served as a top adviser to Rep. Bill Young and also worked as a lawyer and lobbyist. He won a special congressional election in March 2014 and a full two year House term later that year before losing his 2016 race.

After leaving office, Jolly became a vocal Trump critic and cable news political commentator. He departed the Republican Party in 2018, became a Democrat last year, and then launched his gubernatorial bid.

During the campaign, Donalds repeatedly attacked socialism and claimed Jolly embraced “radical socialism.” Jolly rejected that charge in comments to Fox News two weeks before the election.

“Byron Donalds is a liar. I've condemned socialism in the DSA [Democratic Socialists of America] hundreds of times, and he knows that.”

Florida had once been the largest general election battleground, but the state moved to the right over the past decade. DeSantis won his 2022 race by nearly 20 points, while Trump carried Florida by 13 points in his 2024 White House victory.

Republicans held an advantage of roughly 1.5 million registered voters over Democrats in Florida. Even so, Democrats were competitive again amid a rough political climate facing the GOP.

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Donalds’ projected victory keeps the governor’s office in Republican hands after DeSantis and delivers a historic breakthrough for the state. It also gives Donalds the opportunity to pursue the affordability, public safety, and youth investment priorities he emphasized in his victory statement.

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