Across nearly 250 years of U.S. history, only three Black people are identified as having been elected governors, and all three are Democrats and men. The comparison highlights how rare such elections have been, even as political parties field more diverse candidates in recent cycles.
This year, attention focuses on the number of Black major-party gubernatorial nominees competing in November. PBS NewsHour reports that after Florida Republicans nominate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, eight Black major-party candidates appear on gubernatorial ballots. The nominees include both men and women, and they come from both major parties, according to the reporting.
The outlets frame the development differently: one emphasizes the long historical tally of Black elected governors, while another concentrates on the current slate of nominees and their party and gender mix. Together, the coverage links a broader historical context with the specific changes in this election season.
