Florida governor’s race set as Jamaican-American Byron Donalds, David Jolly win noms
Key Points(5)
- Will Florida elect its first Black governor in history or its first Democratic governor in more than three decades?
- Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for governor, while former U.S.
- David Jolly secured the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary elections, setting up a closely watched November contest to succeed Gov.
- Ron DeSantis and determine the state’s political direction.
- With DeSantis unable to seek another consecutive term because of term limits, the race attracted a crowded field of candidates hoping to become Florida’s next governor.
Will Florida elect its first Black governor in history or its first Democratic governor in more than three decades?
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Jamaican-American, won the Republican nomination for governor, while former U.S. Rep. David Jolly secured the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary elections, setting up a closely watched November contest to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis and determine the state’s political direction.
With DeSantis unable to seek another consecutive term because of term limits, the race attracted a crowded field of candidates hoping to become Florida’s next governor.
Eleven candidates competed for the Republican nomination, while six sought the Democratic nomination.
Donalds emerged as the Republican frontrunner during the primary campaign. He currently represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District, which includes parts of Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs and Cape Coral.
If elected, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor.
If successful, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor and the first governor of Caribbean descent. Donalds grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, and has frequently highlighted his heritage throughout his political career.
In 2021, Byron Donalds noted the similarities between himself and Jamaican-American Rep. Colin Powell, emphasizing their shared Caribbean heritage and commitment to public service.
On the Democratic side, Jolly emerged as the frontrunner in recent polling and ultimately secured the nomination. Jolly, a former Republican congressman who represented a Tampa Bay-area district, has selected former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
“This is a moment where we are believing again in each other, not because of the strength of an ideology, but because of the strength of a people,” Jolly said during his campaign watch party after securing the nomination.
“Because of the values that are holding us together — our American values that have made this nation strong and have created the greatest of economic and upward mobility the nation has ever seen,” he said.
Jolly’s victory gives Democrats an opportunity to reclaim the governor’s mansion for the first time since 1999. Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since Lawton Chiles left office in January 1999.
Donalds and Jolly will now advance to the November general election, where Florida voters will decide who will succeed DeSantis and become the state’s next governor.
