Byron Donalds wins Florida governor race, becoming state's first Black governor

Republican Byron Donalds won Florida's gubernatorial election, becoming the state's first Black governor. He defeated Democrat David Jolly by about 1.25 percentage points with 98% of votes counted, according to the AP, and had President Donald Trump's endorsement. Donalds' narrow victory contrasts sharply with predecessor Ron DeSantis' nearly 20-point win in 2022, but it solidifies Republican control of the state, which entered the election with a legislative supermajority. The congressman celebrated at a Broward County rally, pledging to address residents' cost-of-living struggles, and said Trump called to congratulate him. Donalds, who represents southwest Florida's 19th district, outraised Jolly by over six times, collecting more than $173 million. Both campaigns centered on living costs, with Donalds advocating property tax cuts and lower home insurance premiums. Florida's three most populous southern counties voted Democratic, and Donalds chose Bryan Ávila, a Cuban-American state senator, as his running mate.