Closer look at Florida governor candidates Byron Donalds, David Jolly
Oct. 5, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ETFlorida's 2026 gubernatorial election will feature Republican Byron Donalds against Democrat David Jolly.Current Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.If elected, Byron Donalds would become the first African-American governor of Florida.David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, left the GOP in 2018 and is now running as a Democrat.For the first time since 2019, Florida's governor's mansion will be occupied by someone other than Ron DeSantis, who replaced term-limited Republican incumbent Rick Scott.DeSantis, a Republican, is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive...