Republicans retain Florida governorship with Byron Donalds win

Republican US Representative Byron Donalds is the next governor of Florida after defeating Democrat David Jolly in a race in which key issues included energy usage by data centers and protecting infrastructure against hurricanes.

Donalds will replace Governor Ron DeSantis in a state where Republicans have strengthened their position in recent election cycles. He was endorsed by DeSantis and US President Donald Trump.

The Associated Press called the race for Donalds at 9:09 PM ET Nov. 3. Donalds led Jolly 50% to 48.7% with 98% of the statewide vote counted.

Donalds said during his campaign that he wants to prevent data centers from "passing their massive electric and water bills onto everyday households" and require "utility companies to strengthen power lines and water plants to withstand major Category 4 and 5 hurricanes."

During his time in Congress, Donalds has positioned himself as an advocate for nuclear power and has supported legislation that would prioritize fossil fuel projects.

On data centers, Donalds has said he does not support efforts to ban the facilities and has advocated for their expansion in the state.

Donalds has also said he supported Florida Senate Bill 484 signed by DeSantis in May, which supporters said aimed to insulate ratepayers from utility costs associated with serving data center load.

Donalds has questioned the connection between human actions and climate change and has said he did not believe that the "science is settled" about climate change and its effects.

In 2024, Donalds voted for House Resolution 6192, which would block the US Energy Department from setting appliance efficiency standards that aim to reduce energy use.