The Associated Press called Florida’s governor’s race for Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on Tuesday, putting him in line to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2027.
Florida Election Watch labeled its election-night results unofficial. The state tracker lists Bryan Avila as Donalds’ running mate and Gwen Graham as the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly.
If he takes office, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor, according to the Associated Press and CBS News. The state constitution places the start of the next four-year gubernatorial term on Jan. 5, 2027, when Donalds is due to replace DeSantis.
President Donald Trump appears among the endorsers listed on Donalds’ campaign website. At his election-night event, Donalds thanked Trump and told supporters Florida was “still red,” the Associated Press reported.
EconoTimes previously reported on Trump’s Florida appearance in support of Donalds. The Associated Press also identified affordability and homeowners’ insurance as campaign concerns.
