TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is rejecting demands to debate his Republican opponents before Florida’s Aug. 18 gubernatorial primary, arguing that his rivals have not demonstrated enough support to merit a forum even as he challenges Democrat David Jolly to three debates ahead of the November election.
Donalds defended his position Friday during a campaign appearance in Clearwater, where he also unveiled a proposal targeting ultra-processed foods and additives in Florida school meals.
Asked by WFLA’s 8 On Your Side why he would seek debates with Jolly while declining to face his Republican opponents, Donalds pointed to his commanding position in the primary.
“If their polling numbers were higher and they were competitive, we would debate,” Donalds said.
The response renewed criticism from Republican businessman James Fishback and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, both of whom argue that primary voters deserve to compare the candidates directly before choosing the party’s nominee.
Donalds Looks Beyond the Republican Primary
Donalds challenged Jolly this week to three debates focused on the candidates’ competing visions for Florida. Jolly, a former Republican congressman now seeking the Democratic nomination, responded on social media: “Get through your primary and we’ll talk.”
Donalds said he wants to defend Florida’s record under Gov. Ron DeSantis and continue the current administration’s approach to economic growth, public safety and conservative governance.
The decision to focus on Jolly reflects Donalds’ sizable polling advantage. A recent Cygnal survey reported by The Florida Pundit found Donalds leading the Republican field with 43% support. Fishback received 12%, Collins received 11% and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner received 2%. Another 31% remained undecided.
The poll surveyed 500 likely Florida Republican primary voters July 12–13.
Donalds made a similar argument during a July campaign appearance in Hialeah, saying his rivals were polling in the single digits and wanted him to help elevate their campaigns.
Republican Rivals Demand a Debate
Fishback said candidates seeking Florida’s highest office should be willing to defend their records and proposals before primary voters. He pointed to debates involving President Donald Trump and DeSantis during earlier campaigns and argued that Donalds should face his current opponents.
Fishback’s place on the primary ballot remains the subject of a residency lawsuit. A Leon County judge is expected to rule after a July 21 hearing examining whether Fishback met Florida’s seven-year constitutional residency requirement. The Florida Pundit reported that the court was expected to issue a decision before ballot-printing deadlines.
Collins’ campaign said its debate invitation remains open and that the lieutenant governor is prepared to debate Donalds “any time, any place.”
Campaign spokesperson Jason Puwalski accused Donalds of avoiding Republican voters and argued that a debate would test whether the frontrunner is prepared for a general-election contest against Jolly.
Democratic state Rep. Dotie Joseph also endorsed primary debates, saying voters in both parties should have an opportunity to evaluate their candidates in real time rather than allowing party leaders or polling to effectively anoint a nominee.
Donalds Unveils School Food and Water Plan
The debate dispute unfolded as Donalds introduced his “Healthy Florida Healthy Families” initiative during the Clearwater stop.
Donalds later posted his full remarks and question-and-answer session from the policy announcement.
The proposal would remove ultra-processed foods, artificial dyes and certain additives from school meals; close loopholes allowing soda and candy to be sold on campuses; and require school districts to publish menus and ingredient lists online.
Donalds also wants to expand Florida’s existing Farm to School program by connecting Florida farmers directly with school cafeterias. His proposal calls for a dedicated state appropriation to build the supply chain needed to support the new food standards.
The broader plan would require Florida schools to test drinking water for lead and other contaminants, publish the results and address unsafe conditions. It would also prioritize subsidized testing and remediation for families with young children who rely on private wells.
“Florida doesn’t have to wait on Washington to catch up,” Donalds said while promoting the initiative.
Fishback accused Donalds of following an idea he had advanced earlier in the campaign. Fishback told WFLA he supports removing artificial dyes, hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup and other heavily processed ingredients from public-school cafeterias.
The policy disagreement gives the Republican rivals another issue on which to seek contrasts even without a formal debate.
Primary Election Enters Its Final Weeks
Florida’s primary election is Aug. 18. The mandatory statewide early-voting period runs from Aug. 8 through Aug. 15, although counties may offer additional days. The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is Aug. 6.
Donalds remains the Republican frontrunner, but his refusal to participate in a primary debate is becoming a central line of attack for opponents who need to change the trajectory of the race.
At the same time, the general-election environment has drawn closer scrutiny. Sabato’s Crystal Ball recently shifted Florida’s gubernatorial contest from “Safe Republican” to “Likely Republican”, while still viewing the eventual Republican nominee as favored.
With voting approaching and a significant share of Republican voters still undecided in recent polling, the dispute over who will debate — and when — is likely to remain part of the closing argument in Florida’s gubernatorial primary.
Related Coverage
- New Poll Shows Byron Donalds Maintaining Commanding Lead in Florida GOP Governor’s Race
- Byron Donalds Dismisses Debate Calls, Pushes Housing Plan at Hialeah Campaign Stop
- Judge to Decide James Fishback’s Ballot Eligibility After Residency Hearing
- Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball Upgrades Florida Governor’s Race to “Likely Republican”
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Sources
- Byron Donalds’ full Healthy Florida Healthy Families remarks and Q&A
- Donalds challenges David Jolly to three debates — Spectrum News 13
- David Jolly responds to Donalds’ debate challenge
- Healthy Florida Healthy Families proposal — The Daily Signal
- Florida Farm to School program — Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Florida’s 2026 election dates — Florida Division of Elections
