Republican Byron Donalds won Florida's governor's race Tuesday, the Associated Press projected, defeating Democrat David Jolly and becoming the state's first Black governor-elect.
Donalds will succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was barred by term limits from seeking another consecutive term. The result keeps the governorship in Republican hands. AP reported its call at 9:09 p.m. Eastern, or 6:09 p.m. Pacific.
The southwest Florida congressman ran with President Donald Trump's backing. Donalds has served in the U.S. House since 2021, representing Florida's 19th Congressional District. Before Congress, he served two terms in the Florida House after winning election in 2016, FOX 35 Orlando reported.
In Washington, Donalds became a leading voice in the House Freedom Caucus. Colleagues nominated him for speaker in 2023, raising his national profile, FOX 35 reported.
The office stays Republican
Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties, sought to return Democrats to an office they last won in 1994 with Lawton Chiles, according to AP's report. Donalds' projected victory extends that Republican run through another election.
Axios also reported the result, attributing the projection to AP. The race call is separate from Florida's certification of the final vote totals.
FOX 35 reports that Donalds is scheduled to be sworn in as Florida's 47th governor on Jan. 5, 2027. DeSantis remains the incumbent during the transition.
