Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida’s gubernatorial election Tuesday, extending Republican control of the governor’s mansion and becoming the state’s first Black governor.
Donalds secured 49.92% of the vote compared with Jolly’s 48.82%, according to unofficial results from the Florida Division of Elections. Donalds received 4,001,135 votes to Jolly’s 3,912,515, a margin of 88,620 votes in the reported tally. The Associated Press called the race for Donalds.
The victory extends nearly three decades of Republican control of the governor’s office, which Democrats last held in 1999.
“I am humbled and grateful beyond measure,” said Donalds. “As your Governor, I will give you everything I have. We are going to make life in Florida more affordable. We are going to keep our streets safe. We are going to invest in our young people so that they can attain the Florida Dream that all of us love so dearly. Florida is the envy of the nation. I will fight day and night to keep it that way and to lift our state to even greater heights.”
Donalds, a congressman representing Southwest Florida, entered the general election with the endorsement of President Donald Trump and campaigned on continuing policies established under DeSantis while pursuing additional reductions in taxes, insurance costs and government regulations.
Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became a Democrat, centered his campaign on lowering living costs, strengthening public education and increasing government accountability.
His proposals included establishing a statewide catastrophe insurance fund to address property insurance costs, expanding Medicaid, increasing teacher compensation and investing in affordable housing.
Pre-election polling consistently showed Donalds leading Jolly.
RealClearPolling’s final average placed Donalds ahead 48.3% to 44.3%. A Nov. 2 Research Co. survey showed Donalds leading 48% to 44%, while an October Stetson University poll found a 51%-45% advantage. An InsiderAdvantage survey placed Donalds ahead 49% to 45%.
The election marked the conclusion of DeSantis’ eight-year tenure, during which Republicans expanded their statewide electoral advantage and enacted major changes to education, immigration and economic policy.