MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — Democrat David Jolly is stumping in Miami Lakes while Republican Byron Donalds is making the rounds on cable news — less than 24 hours after their matchup for Florida governor became official.
“I promise you, if the election were tonight, we would win the governorship of the state of Florida,” Jolly told supporters on Tuesday.
Donalds, meanwhile, said his campaign is focused on “making Florida accountable, achievable and most of all, affordable.”
Donalds scored a key endorsement from President Donald Trump early in the Republican primary.
He currently represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District, which includes portions of Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs and Cape Coral.
In his first social media post as the GOP nominee, Donalds said Florida “can’t afford David Jolly.”
I am grateful to my family, my team, my volunteers, and every Floridian who powered us to this victory.
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) August 19, 2026
Now is the time for the Republican Party to unite. By working together, we can make Florida more affordable and defend the Florida Dream for our families, seniors, and young… pic.twitter.com/HZBtyaCS9G
“The reason why Florida has continued to be Republican and be conservative is simply because our policies work. That’s why people come to our state,” Donalds said. “The truth is he (Jolly) is just a Trojan horse for Democrat socialists of America.”
Jolly, a former Republican congressman who left the party in 2018, is making the cost of living a central issue in his campaign.
“We’re all worried about the cost of housing, health care, food and gas,” Jolly said in a campaign ad posted Wednesday.
Jolly later appeared with his running mate, Gwen Graham, at a barber shop before making a stop at Vicky Bakery.
“I reject socialism. I’m a capitalist,” Jolly said.
He also criticized Republicans over the cost of housing.
“Right now, people are losing their homes because of the collapse and Republicans have done nothing about it. Byron Donalds doesn’t have a solution,” Jolly added.
Jolly expressed confidence in his ability to take down Donalds in November.
“Voters always tell us what they want,” Jolly told Local 10’s Byron Tollefson on Tuesday. “Four years ago, voters weren’t asking for change, and so Democrats, despite our values, weren’t where voters were. Tonight, voters are screaming for change. They’re begging for change. They’re saying enough with the economic grip, let’s focus on housing, healthcare and education.”
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