Florida Governor: Byron Donalds Defeats David Jolly
The former congressman will become the state's first Black governor after winning a race marked by affordability debates and a late alliance with President Trump.
By Wyatt Cooper ·
Byron Donalds has won the governor's race in Florida.
The Associated Press called the contest for the Republican candidate, who defeated Democrat David Jolly. At 48, Donalds will become the first Black person to lead the state. His victory came despite a national climate in which some Republican voters expressed frustration with President Donald Trump over rising gas prices and the ongoing war with Iran.
Donalds campaigned heavily on affordability, citing inflation, housing costs, and insurance rates. He pledged to continue the conservative policies of outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis remains popular in Florida and joined Donalds on the trail during the campaign. Polls indicated a tight race for much of the cycle, with Donalds holding a lead. The state has roughly 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats, alongside 3.3 million unaffiliated voters who could swing the result.
Before this race, Donalds spent most of his career in the finance industry. He served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and two terms in the Florida House. A former Democrat, he left that party in 2010. He supported Trump early in the 2024 election, and Trump returned the support by backing Donalds for governor. The two rallied together just days before this election. Earlier this year, polls showed Trump was less popular in Florida than DeSantis. In September, Donalds removed prominent displays of Trump's name from his campaign website to distance himself from the president.
David Jolly ran on a slogan of "believe in better." He focused on housing, inflation, and gas prices, along with the rapid expansion of AI data centers. Jolly, 54, labeled his opponent "data center Donalds" for accepting campaign contributions from the industry. In response, Donalds introduced legislation this summer that would require data centers to generate their own power and water. Jolly served in Congress as a Republican before leaving the party in 2018. He registered as an independent for a time before switching to the Democratic Party last year. He has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist, and television political analyst.
The result solidifies Donalds's position as a rising figure in the Republican Party. He will take office following a campaign defined by financial debates and partisan realignment.
Source: WWNO
