Georgia and Florida elected their first Black governors in the U.S. midterm elections held Tuesday, November 3. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won in Georgia, while CNN projected Republican Byron Donalds as the winner in Florida’s gubernatorial race.
The elections took place halfway through the presidential term, with voters casting ballots across all 50 states.
Bottoms’ victory could have implications for national politics and intensify speculation about whether Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff might run for president in 2028. If Ossoff were to leave the Senate to seek the White House, the governor of Georgia would appoint a replacement. With Bottoms’ win, that decision would rest with a Democrat rather than a Republican.
Ossoff has said he has “zero interest” in running for president. However, his strong reelection victory is expected to renew pressure on him to consider a campaign. He actively campaigned for Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, and the two appeared together at several rallies, often speaking one after the other.
In Florida, Donalds celebrated CNN’s projected victory at an election-night watch party, opening his speech by thanking his family.
Sources: CNN Brasil.