Congressman Byron Donalds has won the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race, with the Associated Press projecting him as the winner after he captured about 50.3% of the vote against Democrat David Jolly’s 48.8%. Donalds, who succeeds Ron DeSantis, becomes both the first Black governor of Florida and the first Black Republican governor in U.S. history. His running mate, former State Senator Bryan Avila, will serve as lieutenant governor.
Sources: WCJB TV20 · The Gainesville Sun
Democrat Amy Trask defeated Republican incumbent Chad Johnson in a closely contested Florida House District 22 race, flipping the seat Johnson had held since 2024. The district encompasses Gilchrist and Levy counties along with a portion of Alachua County. Trask, who described herself as an ordinary citizen turned activist, will head to Tallahassee to represent the district.
Sources: WCJB TV20 · The Independent Florida Alligator
Marshall Rawson defeated Democrat Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson in the race for Florida House District 10, which covers Baker, Bradford, Columbia, and Union counties along with a portion of Alachua County. Rawson fills the seat vacated by incumbent Chuck Brannan, who was barred from running again due to term limits. Rawson has indicated a priority of protecting springs and green spaces in North Central Florida.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Voters across North Central Florida cast ballots Tuesday in five state House district contests, including Districts 10, 20, 22, 23, and 27. In District 10, Republican Marshall Rawson and Democrat Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson compete for the seat left open by term-limited incumbent Chuck Brannan, with both candidates focusing on issues such as water and spring protection, data center development, and agricultural land preservation.
Sources: WCJB TV20
A University of Florida survey found Florida consumer sentiment climbed seven-tenths of a point to 69.1 in October, its second consecutive monthly gain, even as national sentiment dipped. Three of the five index components improved, driven by more optimistic views about future U.S. economic conditions, while assessments of personal finances compared to a year ago fell for the seventh straight month. UF researchers noted that elevated inflation and high borrowing costs continue to strain household budgets despite broader economic growth.
Sources: UF News
