Byron Donalds becomes Florida's first Black governor

Republican U.S. Representative Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly on November 3, 2026, becoming Florida's first Black governor. Endorsed by President Donald Trump and outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, Donalds ran on continuing DeSantis's policies. Despite voters' concerns over data center development and a severe state affordability crisis where nearly 70% of polled residents cited housing costs as a primary issue, Donalds secured the office, extending the GOP's control of Florida's governorship.

Byron Donalds wins Florida gubernatorial election

• ▪The Associated Press declared Byron Donalds the winner of the Florida gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026
• ▪Republican U.S. Representative Byron Donalds defeated Democratic nominee David Jolly, becoming the state's first Black governor

Donald Trump campaigns for Byron Donalds

• ▪Donald Trump endorsed Byron Donalds and appeared with Donalds at campaign rallies in Fort Myers and Daytona Beach, Florida
• ▪Donald Trump shared a campaign platform with Byron Donalds despite nationwide unpopularity concerning the war in Iran and the cost of living

Prominent endorsements for David Jolly

• ▪Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama endorsed David Jolly, with Clinton participating in a fundraiser that raised $3 million for Jolly's gubernatorial campaign
• ▪Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, a Republican, co-chaired the Republicans for Jolly coalition and publicly endorsed David Jolly due to concerns over overdevelopment and lost local control

Debate over data center development

• ▪Byron Donalds supported data centers in Florida and received millions in campaign contributions from data center developers
• ▪Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly supported a statewide moratorium on data center construction in Florida
• ▪Jay Collins, the current lieutenant governor, and third-generation native Bobby Williams opposed data centers in Florida, drawing support from conservative voters concerned about local corporate influence

Economic pressures and housing affordability concerns

• ▪Byron Donalds and David Jolly both campaigned on promises to address Florida's rising cost of living, property insurance rates, and housing affordability
• ▪A September 2026 poll indicated that almost 70 percent of respondents listed economic pressures and housing affordability as their primary concern in Florida
• ▪Rising costs and housing affordability issues in Florida forced many residents to move out of the state despite overall population and economic growth