Florida Governor-elect Byron Donalds and Lieutenant Governor-elect Bryan Avila announced their transition team leadership Monday, naming four officials tasked with preparing the incoming administration to take office in January.
The transition will be chaired by Manny Kadre, with Ryan Smith serving as executive director, Tarren Bragdon as policy chair and Teresa Ressel as senior advisor.
The announcement comes less than a week after Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida’s gubernatorial election, extending Republican control of the governor’s office and becoming the state’s first Black governor.
Donalds received 4,001,135 votes, or 49.92%, compared with Jolly’s 3,912,515 votes, or 48.82%, according to unofficial election night results reported by The Capitolist. The margin stood at 88,620 votes.
“Bryan and I campaigned and won on a clear agenda: make Florida more affordable, invest in Florida’s young people, and ensure that Florida continues to lead the nation with common-sense governance and economic opportunity,” Donalds said in a statement.
Donalds said the transition leadership team is already working to prepare the administration to implement its priorities upon taking office.
“We are proud to announce this incredible team of leaders from across our great state, who are already working diligently to ensure that our administration arrives in Tallahassee fully primed to execute on our mission for the people of Florida,” he said.
Donalds will succeed Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose second term concludes in January after eight years in office.
