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◆ Mixed look for DonaldsElections / Campaigns

David Jolly declines to debate Byron Donalds ahead of Florida's governor election

Donalds’ campaign says it accepted three debate proposals, and Donalds criticized Jolly after Jolly ruled out debates.

David Jolly declines to debate Byron Donalds ahead of Florida's governor election
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This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026
WBBH
Sep 21, 2026
tl;dr

Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly said he would not participate in debates with Republican candidate Byron Donalds, arguing they would fuel division. The campaigns dispute which debate proposals each candidate accepted or declined.

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Byron Donalds R · FL-19
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Byron Donalds
R · FL-19

Republican candidate for Florida governor and U.S. representative

PRIMARY SUBJECT
David W. Jolly
Former U.S. Representative (R-FL)

Democratic candidate for Florida governor

Jolly's version of this story ↗
ALSO MENTIONED  Charles Burkett, No-party-affiliation candidate for governor; David DeJesus, Write-in candidate for governor; Dean Ocean Abrams, No-party-affiliation candidate for governor; Erik Morris, Write-in candidate for governor; Frank Russo, No-party-affiliation candidate for governor; Gates McGavick, Communications director for the Donalds campaign; Jeffrey Peter “Dr. Jeff” Datto, No-party-affiliation candidate for governor; Kathy Anderson, Write-in candidate for governor; Mark Riddle, Senior adviser for the Jolly campaign; Mohammad Khan, Write-in candidate for governor; Moliere “Moe” Dimanche, No-party-affiliation candidate for governor; Richard Dembinsky, Write-in candidate for governor; Ryan Smith, Chief strategist for the Donalds campaign; Scott Eckhard Jewett, Libertarian Party of Florida candidate for governor

Part of a bigger story

9 OUTLETS
Donalds and Jolly Dispute Debate Plans in Florida Governor's Race

Donalds’s campaign said it had accepted three proposed debates with David Jolly, who said he would not participate; the campaigns gave differing accounts of the proposals and arrangements. Center outlets describe competing accounts of debate proposals and a failure to agree on arrangements. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Jolly’s refusal and his criticism of Donalds.

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