Rep. Byron Donalds Aims to Make History in Florida Governor Race

MIAMI — For the majority of his time in Congress, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida has usually avoided discussing his race as part of his political strategy. Recently, however, he shifted focus during a series of outreach events targeting Black voters in the Miami area.

In an interview, Donalds, the Republican candidate for Florida governor, said he is aiming to secure over 20% of the Black vote. ‘I think many Black voters are considering my campaign as they evaluate who can best lead Florida,’ Donalds remarked. He also noted a growing trend: Black voters becoming less uniformly tied to the Democratic Party.

Historical data shows that in 2022, 13% of Black voters supported Gov. Ron DeSantis’s reelection, while President Trump garnered around 15% in this demographic during his 2024 presidential bid. In 2024, Donalds was a prominent supporter of Trump, participating in a national tour called ‘Congress, Cigars & Cognac’ with Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas, engaging in relaxed discussions to advocate for Trump. He now employs a similar approach for his own campaign.

An election victory for Donalds would position him among a select group of Black state leaders. Only three Black governors have been elected in U.S. history. This year, he is one of three candidates who could become the first Black Republican governors.

When asked about the significance of making history, Donalds candidly expressed his surprise. ‘It’s wild, honestly,’ he admitted during a rare moment of vulnerability with CBS News. Despite being open about his intentions, Donalds emphasizes merit in his campaign. During a recent event at the Black Professionals Summit’s Legacy Con, he stated, ‘Here in Florida, people care about who can get the job done.’

Legacy Con organizers noted that the event also invited Democratic nominee David Jolly, who could not attend due to a scheduling conflict.

With less than a month of campaigning left, Donalds opposed criticism regarding his minority outreach efforts, asserting his team is aiming to connect with all voters. He pointed to efforts in reaching out to Black voters in North Miami and Broward County, as well as Hispanic voters in Doral and Hialeah.

However, some voters felt his ties to Trump impacted their opinions. In Miami Gardens, at Lorna’s Caribbean Restaurant, Jermaine Woodside initially expressed skepticism but left more open-minded after speaking with Donalds. Woodside expressed concern over Donalds’ association with Trump, stating, ‘That’s going to hurt him.’

Donalds urged voters to focus on his vision and policies rather than his history with Trump. ‘Look at the issues I’m pushing forward,’ he stressed. ‘I’m running to be governor of Florida.’

Not all were convinced. Kalyn James, a Miami resident, attended a meet-and-greet in Overtown, holding a ‘Vote Blue’ sign. She expressed doubt about Donalds’ appeal, doubting that his potential victory would be positively remembered.

Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of the voting rights group Equal Ground, was critical of Donalds’s outreach. She mentioned his refusal to sign a candidate pledge linked to a Democratic-backed voting rights bill, in contrast to Jolly. Burney-Clark stated, ‘Black voters are not going to be fooled by his targeting.’

Recent polls indicate a tight race for Florida’s governor’s office, which a Democrat hasn’t won since the 1990s. For Donalds, narrowing the gap with Black voters is crucial, as it could complicate the Democrats’ efforts to reclaim the governor’s mansion.