Black Voter Outreach Becomes a Focus in Florida Governor Race

Updated on: October 4, 2026 / 9:00 PM EDT / CBS News

MIAMI — For his nine years in Congress, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida has not often highlighted his race in political discussions. Recently, however, he focused on Black voter outreach through a series of events in the Miami area.

In an interview with CBS News, Donalds, the Republican nominee for Florida governor, revealed his strategy to engage more than 20% of the Black vote. He stated, “There are many Black voters considering my campaign, assessing who will best lead Florida forward.” Donalds added that Black voters are increasingly detaching from a traditionally Democratic alignment.

For context, about 13% of Black voters supported Governor Ron DeSantis in his 2022 reelection, according to exit polls by CBS News. In his 2024 presidential campaign, President Trump secured around 15% of Black votes in Florida.

In the previous year, Donalds was a prominent national surrogate for Mr. Trump, participating in “Congress, Cigars & Cognac”—a multi-city tour aiming to connect with Black voters. Now, as a candidate, Donalds applies the same approach personally.

A victory for Donalds could position him as one of the few Black state executives in U.S. history, joining a limited group of Black governors. Among the current nominees, he stands to possibly become the first Black Republican governor elected.

When asked about the potential historical significance, Donalds described the prospect as “wild,” diverging from his usual avoidance of identity discussions. At the Black Professionals Summit’s Legacy Con, he emphasized that Florida is merit-based: “Our state is home to diverse individuals who seek competence in leadership.”

The organizers of Legacy Con extended an invitation to Democratic nominee David Jolly, who couldn’t attend due to a schedule conflict.

With under a month of campaigning remaining, Donalds refuted critiques claiming narrow minority outreach efforts. He insisted, “We’re targeting every voter,” highlighting his outreach to Black voters in North Miami and Broward County, as well as Hispanic voters in Doral and Hialeah.

Nonetheless, some voters express concern over Donalds’ ties to the former president. In Miami Gardens, Jermaine Woodside, a visitor to Lorna’s Caribbean Restaurant, voiced skepticism about Donalds’ association with Mr. Trump but acknowledged a more favorable view after engaging with the candidate.

Donalds advised voters not to judge his candidacy based on past endorsements. He emphasized current issues and gubernatorial ambitions, saying, “I’ve been endorsed by the president, but I’m focused on governing Florida.”

Still, not all opinions shifted. Miami resident Kalyn James quietly protested one of Donalds’ events by displaying a “Vote Blue” sign, critiquing his perceived lack of truly earned support.

Jasmine Burney-Clark, from the nonpartisan voting rights group Equal Ground, criticized Donalds’ approach, pointing out his refusal to sign a Democratic-driven voting rights bill pledge. She argued that his outreach efforts were insincere.

The election comes amid close polling in a governorship race Democrats have not won since the 1990s. For Donalds, reaching out to Black voters might be crucial in complicating the Democratic route to victory.