Updated on: October 4, 2026 / 9:00 PM EDT / CBS News

MIAMI — Republican Representative Byron Donalds of Florida has largely kept his race out of his political narrative over his nine years in Congress. Recently, he chose a different approach during a series of outreach events aimed at Black voters in the Miami area. He emphasized that his outreach was intentional and aligned with his political vision.

In a conversation with CBS News, the Republican candidate for Florida governor shared his strategy to secure over 20% of the Black vote. “I believe many Black voters are evaluating my campaign to see who will lead Florida into the future,” Donalds stated. He added that these voters are less consistently aligned with the Democratic Party than in the past.

For perspective, CBS News exit polls indicated that about 13% of Black voters supported Governor Ron DeSantis’s re-election in 2022. Former President Trump received around 15% of the Black vote in Florida during his 2024 campaign.

In 2024, Donalds actively supported Trump by engaging Black voters across the country in discussions dubbed “Congress, Cigars & Cognac,” alongside Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas. Now, his campaign mirrors this approach, with Donalds leading the effort directly.

Winning would place Donalds among an exclusive group of Black state executives. Historically, only three elected governors in the U.S. have been Black. This year, Donalds is one of three nominees who might become the first Black Republican governors.

When asked about the historical significance of his potential win, Donalds admitted, “It’s wild, honestly,” showing a rare break from his norm of not relying on identity in his campaign. At an event at the Black Professionals Summit’s Legacy Con, he reiterated, “Florida is a meritocracy. What matters most is: Can you get the job done?”

Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds speaks at the Black Professionals Summit’s Legacy Con on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Seiji Yamashita/CBS News

Event organizers noted that David Jolly, the Democratic nominee, was invited to speak at the summit but did not attend due to scheduling conflicts.

With the campaign nearing its final month, Donalds countered claims that his minority outreach is a new or limited effort. His campaign focuses on various voter demographics, including Black voters in North Miami, Hispanic voters in areas like Doral and Hialeah, and more.

However, some individuals remain critical of his allegiance to Trump affecting his appeal. Jermaine Woodside, a voter Donalds met at a Black-owned restaurant, initially hesitated but grew somewhat open after meeting Donalds. Yet, he warned of potential setbacks due to Donalds’ Trump association.

Donalds urged voters to consider his platform over his ties to Trump. “Focus on the issues I’m advocating. Yes, the president endorsed me, and I supported him, but my goal is to govern Florida,” he explained.

Despite these efforts, some remain unswayed. Kalyn James, a Miami resident, protested a Donalds event with a “Vote Blue” sign. “I don’t believe he has the allegiance he claims,” James remarked. “While his election would be historic, I think it would place him on the wrong side of history.”

Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, offered sharper criticism. She noted Donalds did not sign their group’s pledge to support a Democratic voting rights bill that Jolly endorsed. She argued that Donalds’s outreach lacked authenticity.

These efforts occur amid polls showing a close race for a post a Democrat hasn’t captured since the 1990s. For Donalds, bridging the gap with Black voters could significantly hinder the Democrats’ chances of reclaiming the governor’s office.