Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, a longtime Democrat, endorsed Republican Byron Donalds for Florida governor, arguing that David Jolly, the Democratic nominee, has purposely chosen not to diversify his ticket with a person of color as his running mate.

Chestnut announced the endorsement on September 4, after previously donating to Democratic candidate David Jolly on three different occasions. During a podcast session with Pamela D. Marshall, Chestnut explained her decision, noting disappointment that Jolly selected an all-white ticket with running mate Gwen Graham rather than choosing a Black or Hispanic candidate.

"I want to see a Black governor of Florida in my lifetime, and I will not apologize for saying so," Chestnut stated. She described her support as a stand against taking voters for granted and emphasized that representation holds real power beyond symbolism.

Chestnut, who has served in multiple roles including as the first Black woman on the Gainesville City Commission, stressed that she remains a Black Democrat committed to her principles.

When asked about Democrats disparaging her after her cross-party endorsement, she said her vote was her vote and that she was impressed with Donalds in conversation.

“He listened,” Chestnut said. “Mr. Jolly never asked my opinion on issues.”

Her belief is that Jolly operated from a “stereotype” that Black voters reflexively support Democrats, a sentiment shared by the Florida Democratic Party at large, Chestnut argued, with the presumption that Black votes are the “property” of the party and don’t need to be earned.

Chestnut’s endorsement adds to an already robust list of political figures standing behind Donalds ahead of the November election.

The Republican nominee has received endorsements from President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and a majority of Florida’s sheriffs, as well as from senators Rick Scott and Ted Cruz.

The move drew criticism from some fellow Democrats, including state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, who argued it overlooked Donalds' voting record on certain legislation. Chestnut responded that her vote was personal and principled, and she urged open dialogue with the candidate.

Donalds welcomed the endorsement, highlighting Chestnut's long public service at local, county, and state levels.

Chestnut doesn’t know if she will campaign with Donalds, and stressed that backing the Republican candidate for Governor does not mean she will become a Republican, and that she does not support President Donald Trump.

Republicans hold a significant registration advantage in Florida and have won every gubernatorial contest since 1998, a trend Donalds is expected to continue.

Recent polling compiled by 270toWin shows Donalds leads Jolly by about five percentage points. Among the ten polls conducted, Donalds was favored to win eight times over Jolly.

If elected on November 3, Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor.