Screams, tears, and prayers are all I heard the moment it had been announced that Byron Donalds had taken the victory in becoming Florida’s first Black governor. From being endorsed by President Donald Trump and rapper Nicki Minaj and a close run running against Democratic contender David Jolly, Byron Donalds had a rollercoaster of a campaign. While news anchors analyzed the voting on screen, I had a completely different view from inside the ballroom, where his supporters, press, and viewers waited to see his victory live.
When I arrived at the Hard Rock Casino near Hollywood, Florida, I didn’t know what to expect. The parking lot was packed and I thought it was because we were at a casino, but when we went inside I realized the majority were there for Byron Donalds. The first thing I noticed when we entered the ballroom was the wall filled with press. For example, there were many reporters and bright lights. This is when it hit me I was at a real political event with a lot of interesting people around me.
There was no dress code, but I could tell a pattern in attendee attire: cocktail dresses, the color red, suits, bedazzled jackets and shoes, motorcycle clubs in their merch, cowboy hats, hats with “Team Donald’s” on it, and boots. As the numbers started trickling in, the room got quieter with tension. There were people who constantly watched the polls to update everyone around them and around the time the last numbers started coming, they put the polls on the huge center TV where people hovered around to watch.
Even with all the attendees and being one of the only people my age there, it felt like one big family that came together to support a close friend.
“Byron was always on top of his game when we went to college together at FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University),” said one attendee.
The moment the polls came in that Byron Donald’s had won, the room lit up with excitement. Lights flashed, supporters screamed, friends hugged, prayers were recited aloud, and everything in between happened. People were high-fiving me and showing me a lot of attention as they were probably not expecting someone my age there being attentive to the event.
Governor-elect Byron Donald’s sons, Damon, Darin, and Mason, and his wife, Ericka, emerged hyping everyone up on the stage to Drake’s energetic song “Forever.” Then, finally, the new governor appeared to iconic theme song for WWE legend John Cena, “The Time Is Now,” and everyone screamed in excitement.
Mr. Donalds outlined a platform rooted in financial deregulation, school voucher expansion, and property insurance reform. A former commercial banker who served in the Florida House of Representatives before winning his seat in Congress representing Southwest Florida, his political identity has long been defined by strong alignment with conservative leadership and a focus on fiscal policy. At the event, supporters cheered after Mr. Donalds delivered a mini-speech about some of the things he plans to do to better Florida during his term.
Mr. Donalds’ victory marks a historic moment in national and state politics as he prepares to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis. Economically and politically, his administration signals continuity for the low-tax environment, though he will inherit some hurdles such as property insurance costs and growing infrastructure demands across growing Florida counties. Regardless of political party, race, or background, the true measures of Byron Donalds’ victory will rest on whether his policies bring meaningful results for all Floridians.
