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Vol. 3 · No. 308 Every side. Side by side. Wednesday, November 4, 2026
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Byron Donalds wins Florida governor race over David Jolly

NBC News, CBS News and The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Republican Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida's governor race.

By AI reporterPRESSElena Marsh · WhatsNewPaper Desk
What's new
  1. Al Jazeera is now reporting this

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida's governor race on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, according to projections by NBC News, CBS News and a report by The Washington Post1,2,3.

Donalds will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2027, extending Republican control of an office a Democrat has not won since 19941,2,3.

NBC News and CBS News said Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor1,2. CBS News and The Washington Post said he would also be the first Black Republican elected governor in U.S. history2,3.

The Independent Florida Alligator said the Associated Press called the race just after 9:10 p.m. and that Donalds won by just over one percentage point, or about 95,000 votes5. Axios likewise attributed a projection to the Associated Press4.

NBC News said Donalds raised about $130 million1. Axios put the figure at more than $130 million4. The Alligator reported almost $150 million for Donalds and about $22 million for Jolly5.

NBC News and Axios said Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later ran as a Democrat, did not debate Donalds in the general election1,4. Jolly said in September, according to NBC News, "You can't debate a liar"1.

NBC News said President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds early and that Donalds later highlighted DeSantis while remaining open to Trump's support1. Axios said DeSantis withheld an endorsement until after Donalds won the GOP nomination4.

CBS News said Donalds campaigned on homestead property taxes, homeowners insurance and school choice, and that Jolly proposed insurance-system changes and limits on new data centers2. The Alligator said Jolly pledged a one-year pause on data-center development5.

What's next is Donalds taking office in January 2027 after DeSantis's second term ends2. Final certified totals and the share of Black voters Donalds received were not in the reports reviewed1,2,5.

Sources

  1. NBC NewsGOP Rep. Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race, becoming the state’s first Black leader
  2. CBS NewsByron Donalds wins Florida governor's race, set to become first Black Republican governor in U.S. history
  3. The Washington PostGOP Rep. Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race, will succeed Ron DeSantis
  4. AxiosByron Donalds defeats David Jolly to become Florida's first Black governor
  5. The Independent Florida AlligatorElection Results: Byron Donalds will be Florida’s new governor

Read the original at NBC News ↗

How it’s being reported

6 sources

First reported by The Washington PostThe Washington Post

NBC NewsCBS NewsThe Washington PostAxiosThe Independent Florida AlligatorAl Jazeera

Where they agree

  • Donalds defeated Jolly in the Florida governor race.
  • Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor.
  • He succeeds term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  • Jolly did not debate Donalds in the general election.

Where they differ

Donalds campaign fundraising total

Side by side

Each outlet's article broken down by our newsroom, in our own words. To read what they wrote, use the button under each one.

NBC NewsNBC News

GOP Rep. Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race, becoming the state’s first Black leader

Fundraising gap, no debate, Trump endorsement and DeSantis alignment

NBC News projects Donalds defeated Jolly, extending nearly three decades of Republican control of the Florida governor's office.

Leaves out A county-level vote margin

Fundraising gap, no debate, Trump endorsement and DeSantis alignment

What it reports

  • It said Donalds raised about $130 million and that Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994.
  • It said Jolly, a former Republican congressman who became a Democrat, declined to debate.
  • It said Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor when sworn in next year.

Leaves out A county-level vote margin

Read the original at NBC News Read the full article at NBC News
CBS NewsCBS News

Byron Donalds wins Florida governor's race, set to become first Black Republican governor in U.S. history

Historic firsts and Donalds' policy pitches on taxes, insurance and education

CBS News projects Donalds won and would become Florida's first Black governor and the first Black Republican elected governor in U.S. history.

Leaves out A precise statewide vote total

Historic firsts and Donalds' policy pitches on taxes, insurance and education

What it reports

  • CBS News projected Donalds defeated Jolly.
  • It said Donalds would succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2027.
  • It said only three Black governors had previously been elected nationwide, all Democrats.
  • It said Donalds campaigned on homestead property-tax elimination, school choice and insurance costs.

Leaves out A precise statewide vote total

Read the original at CBS News Read the full article at CBS News
The Washington PostThe Washington Post

GOP Rep. Byron Donalds wins Florida governor’s race, will succeed Ron DeSantis

Succession and Donalds as the first Black Republican elected governor

The Post reported Donalds won and would succeed DeSantis after the governor was barred from a third term.

Leaves out Campaign fundraising figures

Succession and Donalds as the first Black Republican elected governor

What it reports

  • The Post reported Donalds defeated Jolly.
  • It said DeSantis was barred under the state constitution from seeking a third term.
  • It said Donalds pledged to preserve the state's conservative turn.

Leaves out Campaign fundraising figures

Read the original at The Washington Post Read the full article at The Washington Post
AxiosAxios

Byron Donalds defeats David Jolly to become Florida's first Black governor

Primary politics with DeSantis and a late Jolly attack ad

Axios reported Donalds won without a general-election debate after Trump's early endorsement and more than $130 million raised.

Leaves out A sworn-in date

Primary politics with DeSantis and a late Jolly attack ad

What it reports

  • Axios said the Associated Press projected Donalds won.
  • It said Donalds raised more than $130 million and did not participate in a general-election debate.
  • It said DeSantis withheld an endorsement until after Donalds secured the GOP nomination.
  • It described a late Jolly ad that critics said played into a racial stereotype; Jolly defended the ad.

Leaves out A sworn-in date

Read the original at Axios Read the full article at Axios
The Independent Florida AlligatorThe Independent Florida Alligator

Election Results: Byron Donalds will be Florida’s new governor

Vote margin, fundraising totals and data-center policy

The Alligator reported a roughly one-point win and cited AP calling the race just after 9:10 p.m.

Leaves out A network projection independent of AP

Vote margin, fundraising totals and data-center policy

What it reports

  • The Alligator said Donalds beat Jolly by just over one percentage point, or about 95,000 votes.
  • It said Donalds raised almost $150 million compared with Jolly's $22 million.
  • It quoted Donalds on X promising to make life in Florida more affordable.
  • It said Jolly pledged to pause data-center development for a year.

Leaves out A network projection independent of AP

Read the original at The Independent Florida Alligator Read the full article at The Independent Florida Alligator