FLORIDA — As the campaigns for Florida governor continue to try to build support ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Republican Byron Donalds was expected to take part in a rally with President Donald Trump in Daytona Beach on Friday, and Democratic David Jolly made stops in the GOP stronghold The Villages and in St. Petersburg.
The Daytona Beach rally gave Donalds a major opportunity to appeal to GOP voters, including those who remain undecided or have concerns about his candidacy despite Trump’s endorsement.
“The vision for a free Florida,” Donalds said. “A vision for Florida, where it doesn’t matter what color your skin is. A vision for Florida whether you live in Miami, the Panhandle or the heartland, that we fight for all of Florida. That is what qualifies me to be your next governor.”
Thousands gathered Friday in Daytona Beach for the rally. Some voters said they support Donalds as the Republican nominee, while others said they had preferred other candidates.
“I like Byron Donalds,” Ocala resident Matt Smith said. “There were some other people that I would have preferred to see make the Republican ticket, but I stand strong behind Byron Donalds since he’s the guy.”
Michelle Rothen, of Osteen, said she remains a supporter of DeSantis but would adjust if Donalds wins.
“Well, I’m not going to lie, I love DeSantis,” Rothen said. “So, you know, I guess I’ll adjust if he wins. He supports him. So I guess we’ll have to. But I’m going to miss DeSantis.”
Donalds has faced challenges consolidating support among Florida Republicans. More than half of GOP primary voters in Florida chose another candidate.
Jolly spoke at Bethel Community Baptist Church in St. Petersburg on Friday night.
Jolly often speaks about his Christian faith, saying he is the son of a preacher, but that as governor, his job is not to preach on his faith, but to fight for people of all religions, or no religion at all.
The No. 1 he continues to hear from voters is about affordability — and the main reason his supporters Jolly can get that job done is that he cares about the people and is a man with good character.
But with much less money raised in his campaign than his Republican opponent, Donalds, Jolly said getting the word out has been more difficult. That is why he is getting to as many communities across Florida as he can this final week. He said there are still undecided voters he needs to convince to get on board.
“I feel very good about where the numbers are,” Jolly said. “as we continue to look at the turnout numbers, the numbers are getting pretty challenging for Republicans between now and Tuesday, so then our job is to make sure we are reaching every voter, turning every voter out. I think we are in a strong position to win this race.”
On Thursday night, Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on social media about relatively low Republican voter turnout in Polk County.
Now, Polk County is a new stop added to Jolly’s tour. He will be there Monday, the day before the election.
It’s expected to be will be his last stop before heading to South Florida to wrap up his campaign.