Georgia, Florida Elect First Black Governors in 36 Races as Democrats Chase State Power
Updated
Updated · Stateline · Nov 3
Georgia, Florida Elect First Black Governors in 36 Races as Democrats Chase State Power
3 articles · Updated · Stateline · Nov 3
Summary
Keisha Lance Bottoms won Georgia to become the first Black woman governor and the state's first Democratic governor in more than 20 years, while Byron Donalds won Florida as the first Black Republican governor elected in U.S. history.
At least four Black governors will now serve simultaneously for the first time, with Wisconsin electing Democrat David Crowley and Maryland's Wes Moore winning reelection.
The midterms also produced other state firsts: Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor in New Mexico, Amy Acton the first woman elected Ohio governor, and Gina Hinojosa the first Latina governor of Texas.
Those breakthroughs came in 36 gubernatorial contests as Democrats tried to claw back state power after Republicans controlled most governorships and legislatures for 16 years.
What underlying societal shifts prompted voters nationwide to simultaneously elect such a diverse group of governors?
Can newly elected leaders successfully implement ambitious local agendas like AI regulation and healthcare reform?
Historic Firsts in the South: 2026 Georgia and Florida Gubernatorial Elections Redraw Political and Racial Lines
Overview
The 2026 gubernatorial elections in Georgia and Florida marked historic milestones, with Keisha Lance Bottoms becoming the first Black woman governor in U.S. history and Byron Donalds becoming Florida’s first Black governor and the first Black Republican governor nationwide. In Georgia, strong turnout among Black voters, women, and Atlanta suburbs, combined with late financial support and voter dissatisfaction with President Trump, helped Democrats flip the governor’s mansion for the first time since 1998 and end the GOP trifecta. In Florida, Donalds leveraged Trump’s endorsement, a large GOP voter registration lead, and aggressive campaign tactics to secure victory and extend Republican control.