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◆ Mixed look for DonaldsElections / Campaigns

DeSantis clashes with GOP over lack of gubernatorial debate

Donalds was the only candidate the state Republican Party said qualified for its debate, and his campaign defended that decision.

DeSantis clashes with GOP over lack of gubernatorial debate
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Jun 16, 2026
tl;dr

Florida Republicans’ decision to qualify only Byron Donalds for a gubernatorial debate has drawn criticism from Gov. Ron DeSantis and other candidates. Donalds’ campaign defended the decision, while the dispute has become a flashpoint in the governor’s race.

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

Florida gubernatorial candidate whose campaign defended the party’s debate eligibility decision

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ron DeSantis
Former U.S. Representative (R-FL)

Florida governor criticizing the state party’s decision not to hold a broader debate

DeSantis's version of this story ↗
Rick Scott
R · FL · SEN

Florida senator who criticized Fishback at an event condemning antisemitism

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Donalds

Evan Power
R · FL

Florida Republican Party chair who defended party unity and was criticized by DeSantis

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

Former Republican U.S. representative and Democratic gubernatorial candidate

ALSO MENTIONED  Bob Graham, Former Florida governor and senator, mentioned as Gwen Graham’s late father; Gates McGavick, Donalds’ communications director; Gwen Graham, Former congresswoman and Jolly’s running mate; James Fishback, Florida gubernatorial candidate who staged an event urging Donalds to debate; James Uthmeier, Florida attorney general criticizing Fishback’s remark about Donalds; Jay Collins, Florida lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate criticizing Donalds’ absence from a debate; Paul Renner, Former Florida House speaker and gubernatorial candidate supporting a debate

Part of a bigger story

6 OUTLETS
Florida GOP Says It Won't Hold Full Gubernatorial Debate

Florida's Republican gubernatorial debate process has drawn criticism, with Byron Donalds central to the dispute over who qualified to participate. Center outlets focus on the party’s qualification criteria and the responses to its decision, while also reporting a poll on Donalds’s race. Right-leaning outlets frame the debate dispute as favoritism toward Donalds and note that he has not accepted an invitation to a separate debate.

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