Donalds held Florida’s open governor’s seat for Republicans and became the state’s first Black governor.
Byron Donalds, 48, was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and built a career in Florida banking and insurance before entering politics. He served four years in the Florida House, then won a U.S. House seat in 2020 representing Southwest Florida.
In Congress he became one of President Trump’s closest allies and a regular on national television. That loyalty helped him clear a crowded path to the nomination for the seat left open when Gov. Ron DeSantis hit his term limit.
His win means Florida, one of the most diverse states in the country, will have a Black governor for the first time. Watch how he handles the state’s property-insurance crisis — the issue Florida homeowners feel most — and how closely he governs in Trump’s shadow.
Fast facts
- Age: 48
- Party: Republican
- Office: Governor of Florida
- State: Florida
- Previous job: U.S. representative from Florida (since 2021)
- Called by AP: call reported 9:15 p.m. ET, Nov. 3; verified in the desk’s 10:30 p.m. ET check
Part of the Zark News Election 2026 winners profile series. Winners are listed as called by the Associated Press.
