Byron Donalds defeats David Jolly to become Florida's first Black governor
By Douglas Soule, Steve Newborn
November 3, 2026 at 9:52 PM EST
Donalds will be Florida's first Black governor when he takes office Jan. 5, and his victory over Democrat David Jolly extends the GOP's 28-year hold on the state's governor's mansion.
Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor.
Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in an unexpectedly competitive race that tested the GOP's grip on President Donald Trump 's adopted home state.
Donalds will be the state's first Black governor, and the nation's first elected Black Republican governor.
With 99% of the votes counted, Donalds had 50% against Jolly's 48.7%, of margin of less than 2 percentage points. In ballots, the difference was 108,481.
In 2022, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won reelection by more than 19 points.
During his victory speech at an election gathering in Broward County, Donalds thanked his wife, Erika, their three sons and his mother for their support. He also said he received a concession call from Jolly, whom Donalds congratulated for running a "hard-fought race."
"Because the truth is, in our state, we have people who are struggling. We have people who are looking at people who are struggling. We have people who are looking at their insurance bills," Jolly said. "And my mission as Florida’ s next governor is to make sure that they can build a great life here in the great state of Florida."
ALSO READ: Donalds and Jolly aren't the only candidates for Florida governor. Here's the rest of the field
Donalds said he also received a congratulatory call from Trump.
“I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red,” Donalds said. “Mr. President, I also want to tell you thank you for your support and thank you for being in my corner.”
Donalds had Trump’s endorsement and a massive fundraising advantage.
In thanking DeSantis, Donalds said, "Gov. DeSantis has done a great job leading Florida these last eight years. "We are going to make sure that Florida remains the very best state in all of America."
In his concession speech at the Tampa Convention Center, Jolly expressed hope for the future.
"To come up with 48 or 49 percent in a state where our own party only has 29 percent of the voters means that we have a coalition. We have a coalition that has emerged," he said.
"We can build a coalition that can break through the moneyed interest in our politics, that can break through the special interest, the vitriol, the ugliness," Jolly continued. "The reason the eyes of the nation are on Florida is because something special has happened in this state tonight."
The' lieutenant governor will be Bryan Avila, a former state senator from Miami.
Donalds' victory extends Republicans’ 28-year hold on the Florida governorship.
He will be sworn in as the state's 47th governor on Jan. 5.
On the campaign trail, Donalds, of Naples, ran on making Florida more affordable by reducing property taxes, streamlining the development permit process and removing certain insurance premium surcharges. He called for strong immigration enforcement and greater government spending transparency.
Click here to read more from Donalds' campaign priorities page.
Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in an unexpectedly competitive race that tested the GOP's grip on President Donald Trump 's adopted home state.
Donalds will be the state's first Black governor, and the nation's first elected Black Republican governor.
With 99% of the votes counted, Donalds had 50% against Jolly's 48.7%, of margin of less than 2 percentage points. In ballots, the difference was 108,481.
In 2022, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won reelection by more than 19 points.
During his victory speech at an election gathering in Broward County, Donalds thanked his wife, Erika, their three sons and his mother for their support. He also said he received a concession call from Jolly, whom Donalds congratulated for running a "hard-fought race."
"Because the truth is, in our state, we have people who are struggling. We have people who are looking at people who are struggling. We have people who are looking at their insurance bills," Jolly said. "And my mission as Florida’ s next governor is to make sure that they can build a great life here in the great state of Florida."
ALSO READ: Donalds and Jolly aren't the only candidates for Florida governor. Here's the rest of the field
Donalds said he also received a congratulatory call from Trump.
“I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red,” Donalds said. “Mr. President, I also want to tell you thank you for your support and thank you for being in my corner.”
Donalds had Trump’s endorsement and a massive fundraising advantage.
In thanking DeSantis, Donalds said, "Gov. DeSantis has done a great job leading Florida these last eight years. "We are going to make sure that Florida remains the very best state in all of America."
In his concession speech at the Tampa Convention Center, Jolly expressed hope for the future.
"To come up with 48 or 49 percent in a state where our own party only has 29 percent of the voters means that we have a coalition. We have a coalition that has emerged," he said.
"We can build a coalition that can break through the moneyed interest in our politics, that can break through the special interest, the vitriol, the ugliness," Jolly continued. "The reason the eyes of the nation are on Florida is because something special has happened in this state tonight."
The' lieutenant governor will be Bryan Avila, a former state senator from Miami.
Donalds' victory extends Republicans’ 28-year hold on the Florida governorship.
He will be sworn in as the state's 47th governor on Jan. 5.
On the campaign trail, Donalds, of Naples, ran on making Florida more affordable by reducing property taxes, streamlining the development permit process and removing certain insurance premium surcharges. He called for strong immigration enforcement and greater government spending transparency.
Click here to read more from Donalds' campaign priorities page.