Caribbean-American Candidates Celebrate Historic Wins Across U.S. Midterm Elections

Caribbean-American candidates have secured a series of historic victories in Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections, winning positions in Congress, state legislatures, governors' offices and local governments across the country. From Jamaican and Haitian Americans to candidates with Guyanese, Trinidadian and Dominican roots, the results highlighted the Caribbean diaspora's expanding presence in American politics.

Among the most significant victories was Republican Byron Donalds, who won Florida's gubernatorial election, becoming the state's first Black governor. Donalds, whose maternal family has Jamaican roots, defeated Democrat David Jolly and will succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis.

Cuban-American candidates also recorded significant victories in Florida, maintaining their influence in both Congress and state government. Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez, who was born in Havana, secured reelection to Florida's 28th Congressional District with approximately 53 percent of the vote.

Fellow Cuban-American Republicans María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart also emerged ahead in closely contested congressional races, with both leading their Democratic opponents by fewer than 2,000 votes in preliminary returns.

Meanwhile, Bryan Ávila, the son of Cuban exiles, was elected Florida's lieutenant governor alongside Republican Governor-elect Byron Donalds. Cuban-American representation also remained strong in the Florida Legislature, where Republican state senators Ileana Garcia, Alexis Calatayud and Ana Maria Rodriguez won reelection, along with State Representative Juan Carlos Porras.

In Maryland, Democratic Governor Wes Moore, whose mother is Jamaican, secured a second term. Moore, who became Maryland's first Black governor in 2022, retained his position as Democrats made substantial gains nationally.

The U.S. Virgin Islands celebrated a historic breakthrough as Stacey Plaskett became the territory's first elected female governor. Plaskett, who previously served as the Virgin Islands' delegate to Congress, won approximately 63 percent of the vote alongside running mate Milton Potter.

Her victory also opened the door for Janelle Sarauw, who won election as the territory's new congressional delegate, securing nearly 77 percent of the vote.

Caribbean representation also remained strong in Congress, particularly in New York, where Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke secured reelection to Brooklyn's Ninth Congressional District. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, has represented the district since 2007.

Dominican-American candidates also celebrated major victories. Darializa Ávila Chevalier won New York's 13th Congressional District, becoming the first Dominican-American woman elected to Congress. In Colorado, Manny Rutinel defeated Republican incumbent Gabe Evans to win the Eighth Congressional District, while Analilia Mejía secured reelection in New Jersey's 11th District.

At the state legislative level, several Caribbean-descended incumbents retained their positions.

In Brooklyn, Haitian-American Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn defeated Grenadian-born Republican challenger Herman Hall to retain her 42nd Assembly District seat.

Guyanese-born State Senator Roxanne Persaud also retained her seat representing Brooklyn's 19th Senate District after running unopposed.

Jamaican-American Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, who represents Brooklyn's 43rd Assembly District, was another Caribbean-descended incumbent seeking reelection, while Monique Chandler-Waterman, of Jamaican and Barbadian heritage, retained her 58th Assembly District seat. Trinidadian-born Jaime Williams also won another term representing the 59th Assembly District.

In Florida, Haitian-American candidates recorded several important victories, including former State Senator Daphne Campbell, who returned to the Florida Legislature after an eight-year absence by winning House District 108 with approximately 81 percent of the vote.

Haitian-born Republican Berny Jacques secured reelection to Florida's House District 59, while Democratic State Senator Mack Bernard, also born in Haiti, won another term representing District 24.

Haitian-American representation also expanded in education. Linda Cothiere became the first Haitian-American elected to the Miami-Dade County School Board, narrowly winning District 1 with approximately 52 percent of the vote.

In Palm Beach County, Christina Romelus achieved a similar milestone, becoming the first Haitian-American elected to the county's school board after securing approximately 62 percent of the vote.

Municipal elections produced further victories. Haitian-born Samson Borgelin won reelection as mayor of North Lauderdale, while North Miami councilmembers Kassandra Timothe and Mary Estimé-Irvin retained their seats. Kerby Altidor also won election to the El Portal Village Council.

Jamaican-American candidates also performed strongly in South Florida. Jamaican-born Denise Grant retained the mayoralty of Lauderhill with approximately 85 percent of the vote, while Richard Campbell secured reelection to the city's commission.

In neighboring Tamarac, Jamaican-born Kicia Daniel won another term as city commissioner, securing approximately 65 percent of the vote.

However, not every Caribbean-descended candidate emerged victorious. Several Haitian-American candidates lost their races, while others faced unresolved contests, including a scheduled December runoff in North Miami Beach.

The victories came amid a broader national shift toward Democrats, who captured control of Congress. Caribbean-American success extended across party lines, with both Democratic and Republican candidates securing prominent positions.