Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Donalds and Jolly make final pitches in Florida governor’s race
Byron Donalds and David Jolly are making their final pitches in Florida’s governor’s race, seeking to succeed term-limited Gov.
Ron DeSantis.
Donalds is a Republican U.S. representative backed by President Donald Trump, while Jolly is a former Republican congressman who later joined the Democratic Party.
A recent poll put Donalds at 49% and Jolly at 47%, within the poll’s margin of error of 2.81 percentage points.
The candidates disagree on data centers: Jolly says he would pause new hyperscale centers, while Donalds says local governments should decide where they are built.
They also differ on AI, with Jolly raising concerns about job losses and children’s privacy, while Donalds points to its potential to support high-paying jobs.
Donalds supports expanding the homestead property tax exemption, arguing that it would provide relief to taxpayers.
The race offers voters a choice between continued Republican leadership and a change in direction, and voters will decide the outcome on Election Day.
Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly made their final pitches to Florida voters in a closely watched race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The candidates offered sharply different positions on data centers and artificial intelligence.
A University of North Florida poll conducted Oct. 12-19 found Donalds leading Jolly 49% to 47%, within the poll’s margin of error.
Donalds supports expanding the homestead property tax exemption, while Jolly has called for a moratorium on hyperscale data centers.
Donalds won the Republican nomination in August, and Jolly won the Democratic nomination.
- Who
- Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly.
- What
- They made their final pitches in Florida’s governor’s race.
- When
- Nov. 3, 2026, the day before Election Day.
- Where
- Florida.
- Why
- They are competing to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
David Jolly
Byron Donalds
Data centers
David Jolly
Jolly says he would impose a moratorium on hyperscale data centers on his first day in office, citing unanswered health and environmental questions.
Byron Donalds
Donalds says local governments should decide where data centers are built and says his administration would ensure they do not raise utility bills and comply with water permits.
Artificial intelligence
David Jolly
Jolly says Florida should address risks including job losses and children’s privacy, and says AI should not replace teachers.
Byron Donalds
Donalds says AI is already part of daily life and emphasizes protecting children, empowering parents and safeguarding name, image and likeness rights.
Donalds won the Republican nomination.
A University of North Florida poll of likely voters found Donalds leading Jolly 49% to 47%.
Donalds and Jolly made their final pitches to Florida voters.
Fox News reported that results were coming in from Florida.
- Poll result
- Donalds 49%, Jolly 47%
- Poll margin of error
- Plus or minus 2.81 percentage points
- Poll dates
- Oct. 12-19, 2026
- Republican nominee
- Byron Donalds
- Democratic nominee
- David Jolly
- Governor being succeeded
- Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited
3 sources
What people are saying
Florida Dream