Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, September 20, 2026 — The race for Florida governor is poised to potentially enter its upcoming election cycle without any candidate debates, a rarity not seen in decades. Democratic nominee David Jolly has publicly stated he will not participate in debates with his Republican opponent, Byron Donalds.

Jolly’s decision, announced recently, means the Florida gubernatorial election could be the first in the state’s history without a debate since 1974. The candidate did not provide a specific date for his announcement or the upcoming election.

Citing his reasons for abstaining from debates, Jolly pointed to what he described as Byron Donalds’ perceived dishonesty. Jolly also referenced the current campaign environment as a factor in his choice. According to Jolly, he believes that engaging in debates under the present circumstances would not contribute to a constructive dialogue necessary for the electoral process.

The specifics of Donalds’ alleged dishonesty and the particular aspects of the current campaign environment that influenced Jolly’s decision were not elaborated upon in the provided information. Similarly, details regarding the Republican opponent Byron Donalds’ stance or any counter-proposals for debate formats were not available. The potential absence of a debate could alter how voters receive information and compare the candidates’ platforms.

Historically, gubernatorial debates have served as a significant platform for candidates to articulate their policies, respond to pressing issues, and engage directly with the electorate. The absence of such an event in Florida’s upcoming governor’s race marks a notable departure from typical campaign engagement strategies.


Story summarized from the original created by By Michael Van Sickler, Times Political Editor on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.

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