Florida Elects Byron Donalds as First Black Governor

Republican Byron Donalds, backed by President Donald Trump, won Florida's gubernatorial race, becoming the state's first Black governor in a significant midterm victory for Republicans against a Democratic wave. Donalds defeated his Democratic opponent to replace term-limited Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, while Republican Ashley Moody also won Florida's Senate seat against Democrat Angie Nixon, who had upset expectations in the primary despite lower campaign funding. Donalds, a Congress member since 2021 and a former vice-presidential contender in 2024, moved from Brooklyn to Florida for college. Despite Republican redistricting efforts favoring them, Democrats retained seats in three redrawn districts.