Donalds, a close ally of President Donald Trump, will succeed Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who was barred from seeking a third straight term, CBS reports.

Only three Black governors have previously been elected in the country, all Democrats, CBS reports.

“I am humbled and grateful beyond measure,” Donalds said in a victory statement posted on X, Fox reports. “We are going to make life in Florida more affordable,” he said.

Donalds has represented a southwest Florida district that includes Naples and Fort Myers in Congress since 2021, CBS reports. He served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2020, CBS says.

He campaigned on affordability, property taxes, homeowners insurance and education, CBS reports. He backed ending property taxes on homesteaded properties and expanding school choice, CBS says.

Donalds was endorsed by Trump and appeared twice with the president at rallies in the final days of the campaign, The Guardian reports. Bill Clinton campaigned for Jolly and headlined a fundraiser that brought in $3 million, and Barack Obama endorsed him, the paper says.

Fox describes the contest as a close race.

Jolly is a former Republican congressman who switched parties and ran as a Democrat, CBS reports. He campaigned on the state's cost of living and on major changes to property insurance, CBS says.

Trump shared a stage with Donalds at rallies in Fort Myers and Daytona Beach, The Guardian reports. Donalds will take office in January 2027, CBS says.

What we know: CBS News and Fox News project that Donalds defeated Jolly.
What we don't: The final vote margin, which the cited reports do not give.