For a party regularly mocked as too White, too old and too male, two Black GOP nominees for governor undercut Democratic attacks against Republicans’ purported lack of diversity.
Florida governor candidates address voters ahead of primary election
In the final stretch before the August 18 primary election, Florida candidates—including Congressman Byron Donalds—are meeting with voters across the state.
Fox – 35 Orlando
You probably haven’t heard this, since the legacy news media and the Democratic Party faithful aren’t screaming it from the rooftops. Michigan and Florida are poised to elect Republican governors. Both happen to be Black.
That’s noteworthy because there is only one sitting Black governor right now – Maryland’s Wes Moore, a Democrat, and just the third Black governor elected in U.S. history. All three have been Democrats.
For a party regularly mocked as too White, too old and too male, two Black GOP nominees for governor is an important development, one that undercuts Democratic attacks against Republicans’ purported lack of diversity.
As expected, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds handily won Florida’s Republican primary on Aug. 18. Earlier this month, Congressman John James won his Michigan primary by nearly 15 points.
Both men had President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which helped seal their victories.
If history is any guide, Donalds and James are well-positioned in their respective states to win in November, too.
Florida, Michigan results point to strong showing for Republican governors in midterms
In my state of Michigan, voters like bouncing between the parties to lead their state. With Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer term-limited after eight years, precedent says it’s time for a Republican to hold the office again.
For perspective, Michigan hasn’t elected a Democrat to follow a Democrat as governor in 65 years. It’s about the same for Republicans.
Of course, things can change. But the trends favor Republicans having a good year, and that benefits James.
He’ll face Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Even though that’s also a statewide elected office, the last time a Michigan secretary of state won the governorship was in the 1930s.
In Florida, Donalds enters the general election knowing that voters there haven’t elected a Democrat for governor since 1994.
And Gov. Ron DeSantis, term-limited after this year, has made Florida a conservative stronghold.
Democrats don’t care about diversity if you’re Republican
As a conservative, I honestly don’t care that James or Donalds are Black. Their race and identity matter far less to me than their platforms and what they’re promising to do for their states.
I think most Republicans agree. Trump’s Truth Social endorsement of James described him this way: “A West Point Graduate, Combat Pilot, Brave Iraq War Veteran, Successful Businessman and Job Creator, and now, as a Highly Respected U.S. Congressman.”
Trump didn’t mention James’ race. That’s not why he earned the endorsement.
Contrast that with former Vice President Kamala Harris, chosen to serve with Joe Biden largely because of the diversity boxes she checked. Her failed 2024 presidential bid leaned more on the “firsts” she’d fulfill as a woman of color than on what she’d actually do in the job – something she never managed to answer clearly.
For Democrats, including those in the legacy news media, Republican candidates who happen to be women or people of color are either ignored entirely or treated as anomalies, even traitors.
Take Winsome Earle-Sears. In November, Virginia’s then-lieutenant governor ran for governor against Democrat Abigail Spanberger and was largely dismissed by the media. Earle-Sears, a Black woman, lost. Since she was a Republican, though, Democrats couldn’t have cared less about her identity.
The same goes for James and Donalds. If they were Black Democrats angling for high-profile governor jobs, this would be dominating headlines.
The left may ignore them, but it’s still big news.
And if they win in November, their victories will deal a serious blow to Democrats’ hollow claim to be the party of diversity.
Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X: @Ingrid_Jacques