The race for Florida governor continues to grow more contentious, with Republican nominee Byron Donalds and Democratic nominee David Jolly accusing each other of dishonesty as they campaign across the state. Recent public appearances and campaign advertisements have highlighted the increasingly personal nature of the contest.
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At a campaign event, Jolly bluntly criticized Donalds, saying, “Byron Donalds is a liar.” Donalds responded with a similar charge during an appearance at the Sunshine Economy Summit in Fort Lauderdale, telling attendees that Jolly’s criticism was itself untrue.
Beyond the personal attacks, Donalds has continued to challenge Jolly on policy issues and campaign strategy. Donalds argued that voters have had little opportunity to hear Jolly directly address major issues facing the state.
“I have not seen him take one question except from a member of the press that anybody else, any other Floridian could go and look at and say, ‘I see where he stands on this,’ he is not doing that.” Donalds said. “He is running the Joe Biden basement campaign.”
Donalds’ campaign has also continued to target Jolly over insurance-related proposals, including advertisements claiming Jolly supports a so-called “hurricane tax.”
Campaigning in Coconut Creek alongside former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Jolly again rejected the characterization.
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“I don’t support a hurricane tax,” Jolly said. “But money is a powerful asset in a campaign and if they can keep putting money behind it, they know it is working, that is why they keep running it.”
The dispute has drawn scrutiny from fact-checkers. Samantha Putterman of PolitiFact said the Donalds campaign’s argument stems from Jolly’s support for a state catastrophic insurance fund, not from any proposal for a direct hurricane tax.
“He’s insinuating that by Jolly favoring and having a state catastrophic fund, and Jolly explains why he wants that, that he is now saying he wants a $1,000 hurricane tax,” Putterman said. “But there is no tax on the books or proposed by Jolly.”
While the candidates continue to spar over policy and campaign rhetoric, a significant financial gap remains in the race. Donalds has maintained a sizable fundraising advantage over Jolly, allowing him to outspend his Democratic opponent on advertising and voter outreach.
Jolly acknowledged the fundraising disparity Monday, saying he hopes national Democratic organizations recognize the competitiveness of the race and provide additional financial support during the final weeks of the campaign.