Byron Donalds says GOP gubernatorial opponents aren’t viable because voters don’t back them

With less than a week to go before the Republican Party of Florida’s “Sunshine State Showdown,” gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds is again dismissing the prospects of opponents clamoring to debate him.

Asked if he thought Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner were viable, Donalds flatly said no.

“Viability is just not having a title. Viability is having support of the voters of Florida,” the Naples Congressman said on “This Week in South Florida.”

Donalds is far ahead in fundraising. His campaign and political committee have roughly $65 million to spend, while Collins has less than $6 million, Renner less than $3 million, and James Fishback roughly $200,000.

The money race is mirrored by public opinion surveys, with Donalds with majority support on average, while opponents languish.

“If you look at the polling in this race, the last couple of months, we’re at 50% in the polls and climbing. That’s right. These other candidates are in single digits. And that is where they are going to stay,” Donalds said at a rally Saturday in Miami, the day before the interview ran.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has said the lack of a debate between the candidates is a “farce.” But the state’s power structure is ready to put the Primary season behind them.

Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson will appear with Donalds Tuesday to make an announcement. Typically, when such events are advised, an endorsement is pending.

Donalds is backed by President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, the majority of the state’s congressional delegation, a majority of members of the Florida House, and a majority of the state’s Sheriffs.

It’s clear that while the calendar says there are almost two months until the Primary, there is little drama left absent some cataclysm for Donalds.