Byron Donalds Wins Florida Governorship

Republican Byron Donalds won Florida’s governorship, becoming the state’s first Black governor, and Republican Ashley Moody won a special election for the U.S. Senate. Before Election Day, Donalds made a final campaign push with rallies in Tampa and his Southwest Florida hometown of Bonita Springs, joined by family and fellow Republicans. He campaigned on preserving Florida’s conservative direction, defending school choice and lowering insurance costs, and said local communities—not the governor—should decide whether data centers are built nearby. After an exchange with data-center opponents, Donalds said he would follow Florida law and local decisions. Democratic opponent David Jolly urged voters to turn out, as the closing events focused on turnout in a closely watched race.