Florida GOP governor candidate Byron Donalds courts skeptical Black voters

Key Points:

• Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida's GOP gubernatorial nominee, is actively courting Black voters, aiming to secure over 20% of their support, a notable increase from previous Republican performances in the state.
• Donalds, who has previously downplayed race in his political messaging, emphasizes meritocracy and his ability to "get the job done," while acknowledging the historic significance of potentially becoming one of the few Black governors in U.S. history.
• His outreach strategy mirrors his prior efforts as a Trump surrogate engaging Black voters through informal discussions, though some Black voters remain skeptical due to his association with former President Trump.
• Critics, including voting rights advocates, question the authenticity of Donalds' minority outreach and highlight his refusal to endorse certain Democratic-backed voting rights legislation.
• With the Florida governor's race unexpectedly close, Donalds sees expanding his support among Black voters as crucial to challenging the long-standing Democratic hold on the office.