Jolly Rules Out Debates with Donalds, Setting Off New Clash in Florida Governor’s Race
Jolly said the debates would stoke division, raising the possibility that Florida could hold its first governor’s race without a candidate debate since 1974.
- On Sunday, Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly announced he will not participate in debates against Republican nominee Byron Donalds, effectively canceling potential televised forums.
- Both campaigns accepted multiple debate invitations last week but failed to reach an agreement on a shared stage, with Jolly expressing suspicion about Donalds' proposed venues including FAMU.
- Accusing Donalds of "repeated lies" and acting in "bad faith," Jolly claimed debates would only "stoke division," while Donalds criticized his opponent for rejecting invitations, asking, "What happened to 'a dozen times?'"
- If this decision stands, it would mark the first Florida gubernatorial election without a candidate debate since 1974, as more than 200,000 mail ballots go out in Miami-Dade County on September 24.
- Political analysts note a growing trend of frontrunners avoiding debates to mitigate risks, exemplified by Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody declining to debate her Democratic opponent, state Rep. Angie Nixon.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Florida Voters May See Zero Debates in 2026 Statewide Races — Here's Why
Tallahassee, FL — With just six weeks left before Florida voters head to the polls, the state is on track for something that hasn’t happened since 1974: a general election season with no debates in any statewide race. Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly announced Sunday that he will not share a stage with Republican nominee
Jolly ducks debates against Donalds, drawing GOP charges he is avoiding his record
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly announced Sunday he will not debate Republican nominee Byron Donalds even once before the Nov. 3 election, a refusal that would make this the first Florida governor’s race without a debate since 1974 if it holds and has prompted Republicans to accuse Jolly of running from his… The post Jolly ducks debates against Donalds, drawing GOP charges he is avoiding his record appeared first…
Jolly Blames Donalds’ “Bad Faith” as Florida Debates Collapse
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly says he will not debate Republican Byron Donalds before Florida’s Nov. 3 election after the campaigns failed to agree on a shared debate. Jolly announced the decision Sunday, accusing Donalds of “repeated lies and bad faith” and arguing that debates under those circumstances would increase division rather than provide voters with a constructive discussion. He said his campaign p…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
