Byron Donalds wants 3 gubernatorial debates with David Jolly

Likely Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds says he wants three debates this Fall with David Jolly, who appears on track for the Democratic nomination.

“There’s been a lot of talk about debates, but the only debate that truly matters is the one against the radical Democrats,” Donalds said on social media.

If three debates come to pass, that will be more than the two that Ron DeSantis and Andrew Gillum had in 2018’s race, the last time the Governor’s Office was open.

Donalds believes the contrast with Jolly suits him.

“My vision is about Florida remaining the free state of Florida based upon commonsense conservative principles, law and order, a growing economy, low taxes, and making sure parents are at the head of the table when it comes to making decisions on behalf of their children,” Donalds said.

“David Jolly actually stands with the Democrat Party. The same Democrats that believe in high taxes … boys in girls’ sports, and taking away that authority from parents, and giving it to bureaucrats. This is a very different view of the future of Florida. And this view needs to be debated.”

Donalds has already submitted a request for proposals to broadcasters, including “television networks, local broadcasters, streaming platforms, and qualified media organizations” that are interested in “a meaningful discussion that allows Floridians to compare Byron Donalds’ vision for a stronger, safer, and more affordable Florida with David Jolly’s support for the failed policies that have driven families and businesses out of Democrat-led states.”

On X, Jolly offered a retort: “Get through your primary and we’ll talk.”

The call for debates comes on the same day that a poll from the University of North Florida shows a 5-point race, with Donalds out front.

The Jolly campaign argued in an analysis Monday morning that despite the survey showing a competitive contest, the poll was off base. His team noted that the unweighted sample was too heavily Republican, and argued that Donalds isn’t as popular as Gov. Ron DeSantis and that even a $20 million ad buy hasn’t swayed voters to overwhelmingly support him.

“The UNF poll samples a universe that doesn’t exist in Florida’s November election. Even with its flaws, it still affirms that David Jolly is well positioned to win the governorship,” a Jolly advisor said.

Our “salt shaker” test also found a weighting toward GOP registrants in the raw data.