Record 8 Black Candidates for Governor on Ballots This Year

Florida Republicans nominated U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for governor on Tuesday, bringing to eight the number of Black major-party gubernatorial nominees on ballots this November — an unprecedented figure in American history.

Only three Black governors have ever been elected in the United States, all Democrats and all men, including current Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Democrat Douglas Wilder of Virginia became the first in 1990.

This year's slate spans both parties. In addition to Moore and Donalds, the nominees include Democrats Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina, David Crowley in Wisconsin and Aaron Ford in Nevada, along with Republicans Lisa Demuth in Minnesota and John James in Michigan.

"We do have a unique moment here," said Moore, chair of the National Governors Association, adding that his historic status is "not an applause line" but reflects a challenge the country has yet to overcome.

Most of the candidates avoid dwelling on the historical significance of their campaigns, instead stressing experience and policy. Donalds told reporters Tuesday night that "Florida is a great meritocracy in America," without mentioning his race in his victory speech.

Democrats note the moment comes after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states to redraw legislative districts that are majority or plurality nonwhite, combined with President Donald Trump's push against diversity initiatives. "Governors, in many ways, are becoming the last lines of defense against what we're seeing in Washington," Moore said.

Democratic strategist Karen Finney said Black officeholders are often the first to raise issues such as maternal and infant mortality, sickle cell disease and the disproportionate impact of inflation on Black communities.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who lost two races for the office, said the scarcity of Black executives has been self-reinforcing. "Black women have not been executives, and the absence of that proof point becomes a self-reinforcing philosophy," she said, noting Bottoms already has executive experience as former mayor of Atlanta.

In Minnesota, Demuth's candidacy guarantees the state will elect its first female governor in November, as she faces Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.