Byron Donalds Wins Florida Governor’s Race, Associated Press Says
The Associated Press called Florida’s governor’s race for Republican Byron Donalds at 9:09 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, with nearly all votes counted. Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in the general election.
Donalds had 4,084,059 votes, or 50.1%, to Jolly’s 3,972,130, or 48.7%, in unofficial totals Tuesday night, a margin of about 112,000 votes.
Donalds said his victory speech was probably the shortest speech he’s given since going on the campaign trail.
“Our state is without a doubt the very best. It’s been that way because of common sense, conservative principles that back law enforcement like TK Waters and Jacksonville. And all of our sheriffs in the great state of Florida. We are the state that people have chosen, time and time and time again. We are the state that people from New York and California run, too, because we’re the very best in that we know how to keep government out of your way. And so tonight, Florida, I’m gonna send a special thank you to all of the people of this great state. Even if you didn’t vote for me, you have my word that I will be your governor too.”
He finished his remarks saying,
“Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow we work, and over the next four years, we’re gonna take Florida to a whole new level. God bless you, Florida. God bless you, Florida. God Bless America.”
Donalds, a U.S. congressman, will succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. He will become Florida’s first Black governor and the nation’s first elected Black Republican governor, according to the AP. His running mate, Bryan Avila, will become Florida’s new Lieutenant Governor.
Jolly, a former Republican congressman who became a Democrat, ran with former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate.
Both campaigns made late appeals in Polk County. Jolly and Graham held an Election Eve rally in Haines City on Monday, and Donalds held his third Polk County rally since August later that day in Lakeland.
Polk County turnout was 54.98%, with all precincts reporting Tuesday night. Polk County mail-in vote totals were still being counted.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Florida governor’s race?
The Associated Press called the race for Republican Byron Donalds at 9:09 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday.
Who did Byron Donalds defeat?
Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who became a Democrat.
Who was David Jolly’s running mate?
Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham was Jolly’s running mate for lieutenant governor.
Who is Byron Donalds?
Donalds is a Republican U.S. representative who won the 11-candidate Republican primary with the help of an endorsement from President Donald Trump, according to the AP.
How does Polk County’s 2026 turnout compare with past elections?
With all precincts reporting, turnout was 54.98%, with votes by mail partially counted. That is above the 49.68% reported for the 2022 midterm and below the 59.28% recorded in 2018.
Sources: “AP Decision Team Updates,” The Associated Press, apnews.com, Nov. 3, 2026; “Florida Governor Election Results,” The Associated Press, apnews.com, Nov. 3, 2026; “‘A Jolly Florida’: Jolly Announces Gwen Graham as Gubernatorial Running Mate,” David Jolly for Governor, davidjolly.com, undated; “Election Results,” Polk County Supervisor of Elections, polkelections.gov, Nov. 3, 2026.
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