Byron Donalds defeats David Jolly, will become Florida’s first Black governor – News4JAX

Byron Donalds defeats David Jolly, will become Florida’s first Black governor  News4JAX

Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in a closely watched race to succeed term-limited Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in a closely watched race to succeed term-limited Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In doing so, he is slated to become the first Black governor of Florida when he is sworn in. “We have people looking at their insurance bills. We have them looking at bank accounts, not month in, month out, day in, day out, trying to figure out how they’re going to make ends meet,” Donalds said during his victory speech. “My mission as Florida’s next governor is to make sure that they can build a great life here in the great state of Florida.” Donalds, a three-term Republican congressman from Naples who was backed by President Donald Trump, won his party’s nomination in August.

He framed his campaign around affordability and protecting what he calls the “Florida Dream.” Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became an independent before joining the Democratic Party, sought to attract voters beyond the Democratic base. But his push was unable to overcome Donalds’ massive financial advantage, where he spent $165.9 million to Jolly’s $24.7 million, according to campaign finance records showing spending through Oct 29. Campaigning on economic issues, Jolly linked Trump’s policies