New Delhi: Florida is set to get its first Black governor and the US its first Black Republican governor as Congressman Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in a closely fought race in the mid-term elections, bringing a historic milestone to a state where Republicans have held the governor’s office for nearly three decades.
Donalds, 48, is a three-term Congressman representing Florida’s 19th District (Southwest Florida, including Naples). Results showed Donalds and running mate Bryan Avila receiving about 50.03 per cent of the vote. Democratic opponents Jolly and Gwen Graham received 48.7 per cent.
An early Trump supporter who campaigned on the President’s “America First” agenda, will succeed Ron DeSantis and take charge of a state that has moved steadily to the right in recent election cycles.
He received Trump’s early enthusiastic endorsement during his gubernatorial campaign, leveraging his support in a year when the president’s popularity faced headwinds elsewhere. His win also gives Trump a close political ally in the governor’s office as he seeks to consolidate his influence over the Republican Party.
“I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” he wrote on X endorsing the candidate. “Byron will have a BIG Voice, and work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda.”
He added that the representative will fight tirelessly to work towards border security, stopping “migrant crime”, strengthening the military, protecting veterans, advancing American energy, cutting taxes and regulations, promoting made in USA, and “Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
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‘We are still Red’
In a victory statement, Donalds thanked supporters and pledged to make life more affordable, keep streets safe and protect the “Florida Dream.”
“Mr. President, I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red,” he said. “We are going to make sure Florida remains the very best state in all of USA.”
Trump congratulated him after his win.
Donalds has consistently described himself as a strong supporter of Trump since his 2024 presidential campaign.
In a Politico interview during his own campaign he said, “I’m a supporter of the president. He’s a supporter of mine. But I think the misconception is that people think that the president just wants ‘yes’ men. That’s actually not true… I think there’s times where the president and I don’t agree on policy, and that’s fine.”
He also credited Trump with “a good portion” of his rise in the Republican Party and noted that “our voters in the base of our party love the president.”
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Donalds moved to Florida, and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives (2016–2020) before winning his congressional seat in 2020.
Donalds positioned himself as a continuity candidate for DeSantis’ “free state of Florida” approach. During his campaign he emphasised continuing conservative priorities including limited government, school choice, gun rights, border security and lower costs, while raising substantially more money than Jolly.
(Edited by Stela Dey)