Jamaican-rooted candidates fall short in Florida primaries, except Donalds
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It was a largely disappointing night for political candidates with Jamaican roots in Florida, United States, with several failing to secure their party’s nomination in Tuesday’s primary elections.
However, Jamaican-American Republican Byron Donalds emerged as the exception, winning the Republican nomination for governor and advancing to the November 3 general election.
In Congressional District 20, Jamaican-born former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness made his third attempt to win a seat in the US House, but again came up short.
Holness finished second in the Democratic primary behind veteran Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who secured 45.6 per cent of the vote, compared with Holness’ 22.9 per cent.
Holness’ latest defeat comes after two previous unsuccessful bids for the seat. In 2021, he lost a special Democratic primary to Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick by just five votes after a recount. He faced Cherfilus-McCormick again in the 2022 Democratic primary but lost by nearly 27,000 votes.
The 2026 race was significantly reshaped by Florida’s redistricting. Wasserman Schultz, who previously represented the 25th Congressional District, sought the newly drawn District 20 seat, which is located in Broward County and has historically been a predominantly Black district.
Holness was among five Democrats competing for the nomination, alongside Wasserman Schultz, Cherfilus-McCormick, rapper Luther Campbell and activist Elijah Manley.
Jamaican-born Republican Carla Spaulding also contested the District 20 race but failed to secure the Republican nomination. She was among four Republicans seeking the party’s nomination.
In Congressional District 22, Kaysia Earley, whose father and grandparents are Jamaican, also failed to secure the Democratic nomination. Earley, a trial lawyer and first-time congressional candidate, was competing against Pia Dandiya for the Democratic nomination.
The major success for a candidate of Jamaican heritage came in the gubernatorial race.
Byron Donalds won the Republican primary and will face Democrat David Jolly in the November 3 general election. Donalds, who is of Jamaican and Panamanian heritage, is seeking to become Florida’s first Black governor.
Donalds secured the Republican nomination in a crowded field and had the backing of President Donald Trump.
The November 3 general election will determine who succeeds Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
- Lester Hinds
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