Three Black Governors Elected at Once

For the first time in U.S. history, three Black governors elected by popular vote will take office at the same time. The three are Wes Moore, re-elected Democrat in Maryland; Byron Donalds, the Republican who won Florida's governor's race; and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democrat who won in Georgia.

Moore, Patrick and Wilder each served as governor in different years. Before Tuesday's elections, those three were the only Black governors ever elected in the United States. No two of them held office at the same time.

Donalds spoke about his campaign's place in history in an NBC News interview last month. He called it "very special" and said, "I feel honored to be in this position, but I believe this says much more about the state of Florida than it does about me." He posted on X on Nov. 4: "As your Governor, I will give you everything I have. We are going to make life in Florida more affordable."

Five other Black candidates from the major parties were also running for governor on Tuesday. Democrats David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, sought Wisconsin's governor's office, and Aaron Ford, the state attorney general, ran in Nevada. In South Carolina, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, a Democrat, faced a state that has leaned Republican.

On the Republican side, state Rep. John James ran against Democrat Jocelyn Benson. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth was considered the least likely to win in her state's race.

Only three Black governors had been elected in the U.S. before this week: Doug Wilder of Virginia in 1989, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts in 2006, and Wes Moore of Maryland. None served concurrently.