Donalds Courts Black Voters for Florida Governor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds is actively campaigning to win Black votes across Florida, seeking to become the state's first Black governor. Donalds highlighted this effort during a recent event in Pinellas County, stating his campaign is engaging Black voters at a level rarely seen from Republican efforts.

Donalds outlined his governing philosophy, saying, "My job is to govern the state of Florida. My job is to make sure that when we put these policies in, they work for all families, in all communities." He aims to represent all Floridians, not just a majority.

Early polls show some traction for Donalds. A St. Pete Polls survey found him with 14% support among Black voters, up from 10% in a recent Mason-Dixon poll. His campaign formed the Florida Coalition of Black Leaders for Donalds, a group of community figures including clergy, law enforcement, lawmakers, lobbyists, educators, and business owners. This coalition will advocate for the Naples congressman in churches, barbershops, and on college campuses before Election Day.

The coalition includes Democrats, such as Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young, Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, and Haines City Commissioner Anne Huffman. Chestnut previously criticized Donalds' opponent David Jolly's campaign for its perceived lack of diversity.

Donalds has also urged Black voters to reassess their traditional allegiance to Democrats, telling attendees at a Florida A&M town hall last month, "Stop moving like a monolith." This message aims to connect with voters in communities like those around Tallahassee, where political engagement often stems from historical activism.