Trump-backed Republican Byron Donalds wins Florida governorship

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 02:51 · Archive

Republican congressman Byron Donalds has won Florida's gubernatorial election, becoming the state's first Black governor.

Republican congressman Byron Donalds has won Florida's gubernatorial election, defeating Democrat David Jolly. The victory makes Donalds the state's first Black governor in its history and also the first Black Republican elected governor in the nation.

Donalds, a three-term congressman from southwest Florida who is a Trump ally, received the president's endorsement and appeared with him at rallies in Fort Myers and Daytona Beach in the campaign's closing days. Donalds will succeed Ron DeSantis, who is leaving office after two terms and pursuing national political ambitions.

The race proved unexpectedly competitive, particularly given that Democrats have not captured Florida's governorship in more than 30 years. It was closely watched as a test of whether Trump's national unpopularity, particularly over foreign policy and the cost of living, would damage Republican prospects even in a state Trump has won three times.

Both campaigns deployed high-profile figures to support their candidates. Trump appeared at rallies for Donalds, whilst former President Bill Clinton headlined a fundraiser for Jolly that brought in $3 million, and former President Barack Obama gave Jolly his endorsement.

Donalds centred his campaign on continuing DeSantis's conservative agenda, billing it as 'a continuation of the DeSantis-era of success' and warning that Jolly sought to undo what DeSantis had built. DeSantis endorsed Donalds. Under DeSantis, Florida pursued culture war policies including legislation restricting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as assaults on the LGBTQ+ community and changes to higher education.

Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched to the Democratic Party, ran as a centrist. He focused on economic concerns, pointing to Florida's high cost of living, including soaring housing costs and property insurance expenses. 'I'll fight to lower costs, and always put you first,' was Jolly's final pitch to voters in advertising last week.

Donalds also actively campaigned among Black voters, who traditionally vote for Democrats. In his victory statement, Donalds said he would make life in Florida more affordable, keep streets safe and invest in young people.

How it is being reported

• Republican Byron Donalds makes history as Florida's first Black governorDemocrats have not captured the governor's office in the state in more than 30 yearsIndependent World · 4 Nov, 02:36
• Trump's chosen heir Byron Donalds survives massive scare in Florida as ex-Republican nearly pulls off upsetRepublican Congressman Byron Donalds has been elected governor of Florida, becoming the first black man elected to the post in the state's history.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 02:23
• Republican Byron Donalds wins governor's race in FloridaDonalds, who was backed early by President Trump, will become the state's first Black governor.NPR · 4 Nov, 02:10
• Trump-endorsed Republican Byron Donalds wins Florida race for governorDonalds, who billed campaign as ‘a continuation of the DeSantis-era of success’, becomes state’s first black governor Republican Byron Donalds will be the next governor of Florida, and its first Black leader, after defeating Democrat David Jolly in one of the country’s most-watched midterm races. Donalds was endorsed by Donald Trump and appeared twice with the president at rallies in the campaign’s closing days despite previously appearing to distance himself . He will succeed Ron DeSantis, the former presidential candidate who will be termed out of office in January. Continue reading...Guardian World · 4 Nov, 02:10
• Trump-backed Byron Donalds to make history as Florida’s first Black governorByron Donalds makes history as the first Black Republican governor in the nation, defeating David Jolly in Florida's heated gubernatorial race.Fox News · 4 Nov, 01:20

In this story: Byron Donalds · David Jolly · Donald Trump · Ron DeSantis · Florida · Bill Clinton · Barack Obama

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log