Politics

Republican Congressman Byron Donald makes history as first black governor in Florida’s history

By Linda Ikeji 4 November 2026, 7:30 am 0 comments

U.S. Republican Congressman Byron Donalds has made history after winning Florida's gubernatorial election, becoming the first Black person to be elected governor in the state's history..

Donalds, a three-term congressman from southwest Florida, defeated Democratic rival former Rep. David Jolly in a close race to win the Sunshine State's gubernatorial election on Tuesday's November 3.

He secured 4,131,527 votes, defeating Democratic challenger David Jolly, who polled 4,023,046 votes. Donalds won by a margin of 108,481 votes, representing approximately 50.7 per cent of the total votes against Jolly's 49.3 per cent.

The Republican Congressman, who is a close ally of President Trump, will succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, extending nearly three decades of Republican control of Florida's governor's mansion.

"I am humbled and grateful beyond measure," Donalds said in a victory statement posted to X. "As your Governor, I will give you everything I have. We are going to make life in Florida more affordable. We are going to keep our streets safe. We are going to invest in our young people so that they can attain the Florida Dream that all of us love so dearly. 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."