Byron Donalds held the Florida governorship by the skin of his teeth, making history as the first black Republican ever elected governor in America.
The 48-year-old congressman secured an excruciatingly close win, defeating Democratic challenger David Jolly, a former Republican congressman and attorney.
The Associated Press called the race just after 9 pm eastern. Donalds had 50 percent to Jolly’s 49 percent with 98 percent of the vote counted.
The contest was much closer than anticipated and had Republicans on edge for much of Tuesday night. Trump carried Florida by 13 points just two years ago.
Donalds outspent Jolly roughly 7-to-1, raising more than $140 million,
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