Byron Donalds Campaigned to Florida Black Voters
The Republican gubernatorial nominee is pushing to secure over 20% of the Black vote in the upcoming Florida election.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Elections
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Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds has ramped up outreach efforts to Black voters in the Miami area. The candidate hopes to exceed previous Republican performance metrics among this demographic to win the race.
Why it matters
Donalds seeks to narrow the partisan gap in Florida by attracting a larger share of Black voters than his predecessors. This strategy is critical to his campaign as he attempts to build a coalition large enough to secure the gubernatorial seat.
Donalds is targeting a 20% share of the Black vote, a figure that aims to outperform the 13% of support Ron DeSantis received in 2022 and the 15% Donald Trump secured in 2024. Only three Black individuals have been elected as governors in U.S. history.
The players
Byron Donalds
He is the Republican nominee for the Florida gubernatorial race and currently represents Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
Jasmine Burney-Clark
She is an activist who has criticized Donalds regarding his stance on state voting rights legislation.
David Jolly
He is the Democratic nominee for the Florida governor race and a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ron DeSantis
He is the current Governor of Florida who secured 13% of the Black vote in his 2022 reelection campaign.
The details
Donalds participated in outreach events, including the Black Professionals Summit Legacy Con, and engaged in door-knocking and informal sit-down conversations throughout Miami, Overtown, and Miami Gardens. Activist Jasmine Burney-Clark noted that Donalds declined to sign a candidate pledge supporting a Democratic-backed state voting rights bill, while Democratic rival David Jolly did not attend the Legacy Con event.
Timeline
Ron DeSantis received 13% of the Black vote during the 2022 election.
Byron Donalds served as a surrogate for Donald Trump throughout 2024.
Donalds conducted Black voter outreach in Miami on October 3 and 4, 2026.
Political Context
The campaign is attempting to improve upon the vote share performance established during the 2022 Florida governor race. Opposition groups have criticized the candidate's platform, specifically regarding his refusal to support a Democratic-led state voting rights initiative.
The push by major candidates to engage specific demographics can lead to increased campaign activity and political messaging across local Miami communities. Residents may see more frequent door-knocking or campaign appearances as the gubernatorial election nears.
The takeaway
Candidates often target specific demographic groups by emphasizing personal outreach and grassroots interaction to close polling gaps. Voters should evaluate these platforms against the candidates' stances on state-level legislation to determine which nominee best represents their interests.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of the state race, visit Florida Elections.
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Do you believe political candidates should aggressively target demographic groups that historically vote for the opposition?
