# Byron Donalds Courts Black Voters for Historic Florida Governor Bid
*Trump-endorsed GOP candidate Byron Donalds seeks to become Florida's first Black governor, targeting minority support amid polling deficits.*

- Medio: Civic Coast News (https://civiccoastnews.com)
- URL: https://civiccoastnews.com/noticia/byron-donalds-courts-black-voters-for-historic-florida-governor-bid
- Sección: Politics
- Autor: Civic Coast News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-10-13T10:15:27.919Z
> Byron Donalds targets Black votes for historic FL gov race. Polls show Dem David Jolly leads 76-10%. GOP candidate cites economic opportunity; critics cite voting record.

## Las claves

- Republican Byron Donalds campaigns to become Florida's first Black governor
- Polling shows Democrat David Jolly leading with 76% of the Black vote
- Donalds faces challenges from his past legislative votes and Trump association

Republican candidate Byron Donalds is actively courting Black voters in his bid to become the first African American governor of Florida. The two-term U.S. Representative from Naples, who holds President Donald Trump’s endorsement and leads significantly in fundraising, faces a challenging path according to recent polling data. While incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis cannot run again due to term limits, polls indicate that most Black voters are likely to support his Democratic opponent, former Congressman David Jolly.

### Polling Disparities and Campaign Strategy

A Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey conducted between Sept. 28 and Oct. 1 reveals a significant gap in the gubernatorial race. Among 625 registered voters, Donalds captured only 10% of the Black vote, while Jolly secured 76%, with 14% undecided. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. This data contrasts sharply with Donalds' financial advantage; state records show he has raised more than $134 million and spent approximately $91 million as of Sept. 25, compared to Jolly’s nearly $17 million in raises.

Donalds’ campaign strategy includes targeting Black voters because his support among white conservatives in rural counties is not strong enough. He lost 17 Florida counties to white opponents during the August Republican primary. Political science professor Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida noted that Donalds might perform worse among white Republicans who oppose him specifically because he is Black and seeking their votes.

### Legislative Record and Voter Sentiment

Critics point to Donalds’ record in Congress and the state Legislature as a barrier. He previously opposed a voting rights bill named after civil rights icon John Lewis, voted against expanding voter registration, and supported legislation protecting hairstyles popular among Black residents. At a forum at Florida A&M University, where he once attended classes, Donalds urged students to be open-minded and questioned whether Black voters should automatically support the Democratic Party, a story we covered in [Florida Governor Race Tightens as Democrats Face Funding Gap](/noticia/florida-governor-race-tightens-as-democrats-face-funding-gap).

"I’m just going to be blunt: Stop moving like a monolith," Donalds said. "Since 1963-ish, Black people have largely supported the Democratic Party. Have they actually done all the things they promised? You’ve been faithful to that party, have they been faithful to you?" This message resonates with some supporters, such as Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, who endorsed Donalds and stated that "Black voters are not political property." However, her view remains a minority opinion according to recent surveys.

### Challenges from the Trump Association

The association with President Trump presents another hurdle. Although Trump performed better among Black voters in 2024 than many Republicans, a clear majority still oppose his policies. Sean Freeder of the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab suggested that Donalds is attempting to replace white rural voters with newly converted Black supporters, a strategy he described as "very, very unlikely to work well." Meanwhile, Jolly has labeled Donalds’ agenda as anti-Black and appeared on popular online programs targeting minority audiences. The election takes place on Nov. 3.
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Fuente original: https://civiccoastnews.com/noticia/byron-donalds-courts-black-voters-for-historic-florida-governor-bid