Byron Donalds Secures Florida Governorship
Republican victory declared as national trends show Democratic gains, raising questions about party dynamics.
Callum Smith
Republican U.S. Representative Byron Donalds won the Florida gubernatorial election on Tuesday.
Donalds significantly outpaced his opponent, David Jolly, in campaign fundraising. He also received an endorsement from Donald Trump.
Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994. Republicans hold a voter registration advantage of approximately 1.5 million in the state.
Outgoing governor Ron DeSantis leaves office as Donalds takes the helm. Donalds portrayed Jolly as an out-of-touch liberal during his campaign.
This strategy resonated with voters. Nearly 70% of respondents in a September poll cited economic pressures and housing affordability as their top concern.
Despite Trump's endorsement, Donalds had previously appeared to distance himself from the former president. Trump's blessing may have ultimately weighed on Donalds' campaign.
This win for Donalds comes as voters in races across the country registered discontent with Trump policies. Democrats gained seats in both the House and Senate.
Republican House and Senate leaders signaled a desire to become more independent from the governor. Republicans will point to Florida as proof that the red wall held, even as the national map turned against them.