By Basant El-Faramawy
Republican Byron Donalds has won the Florida governor's race, becoming the state's first Black governor after defeating Democrat David Jolly in one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 US midterm elections. Donalds, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, will succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis in January.
Trump endorsement and campaign
Donalds campaigned as "a continuation of the DeSantis-era of success" and appeared twice with Trump at rallies in Fort Myers and Daytona Beach during the final days. Despite Trump's nationwide unpopularity over the Iran war and cost-of-living concerns, the endorsement helped Donalds secure victory in a state Trump has won three times.
DeSantis legacy central to race
Both parties framed the election around DeSantis's eight-year tenure, which included culture-war policies on LGBTQ+ rights, higher education restructuring, and enforcement of Trump's immigration crackdown. Jolly, backed by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, focused on soaring housing and property insurance costs, pledging to "fight to lower costs, and always put you first."
Challenges facing new governor
Donalds inherits a divided state where economic growth has driven up living costs, forcing many residents to leave. A September poll showed nearly 70% of respondents cited economic pressures and housing affordability as their top concern. The Republican supermajority in the state legislature, which largely rubber-stamped DeSantis initiatives, has signaled a desire for more independence.
