Florida Congressman Byron Donalds is taking the gloves off in his bid for governor. This week, he targeted Democrat David Jolly directly on Jolly’s home turf in Pinellas County, ramping up the rhetoric in what is already a contentious race. His public confrontation comes alongside a new ad campaign that questions Jolly’s allegiance to Florida values by linking him to far-left Democratic positions.
In a video shared widely on social media, Donalds made his feelings clear: “David Jolly sucked when he represented you in Congress, and he sucks even worse now.” This frank statement was met with cheers from a predominantly conservative crowd, highlighting the escalating tone of the 2026 gubernatorial race in Florida.
Jolly, who recently shifted from the Republican Party to run as a Democrat, has started his campaign to replace outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. Once a Republican himself, Jolly has stated that the modern Democratic Party is “absolutely right on the issues.” That line is at the forefront of Donalds’ latest ad, which marks his first direct assault in this political season.
The one-minute ad opens with Jolly’s own words and swiftly cuts to clips from prominent Democrats. It features Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer discussing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and Vice President Kamala Harris promoting access to gender surgeries for transgender inmates. This powerful imagery is designed to paint Jolly as part of an increasingly radical Democratic agenda, closing with the strong message: “David Jolly. Wrong then. Wrong now. Wrong for Florida.”
Florida Republicans have held sway over state leadership for more than twenty years. Donalds, supported by former President Donald Trump, is aligning his platform with DeSantis-era policies, aiming to preserve conservative reforms in education, taxes, and crime management. “The voters of Florida have chosen a Republican, conservative form of governance year after year,” Donalds stated, positioning Jolly as a potential threat to that established record.
Donalds’ campaign is not just ideological; it’s also data-driven. Recent research from the University of North Florida reveals that 64% of Florida Republicans desire a governor who will continue DeSantis’s policies. Furthermore, nearly 70% of Florida voters oppose gender transition procedures for minors and taxpayer-funded surgeries for inmates—issues that Donalds deftly ties to Jolly and the national Democratic Party.
Voter trends indicate that older and more conservative Floridians are likely to turn out in significant numbers, particularly in the state’s central and northern regions. During the 2022 elections, those aged 50 and over accounted for nearly 60% of total voter turnout, solidifying their position as a critical demographic in statewide elections.
By attacking Jolly early, Donalds aims to define his opponent before Jolly can gain traction. Jolly, seeking to present himself as a centrist focused on institutional reforms and environmental matters, may struggle with the broader implications of his Democratic affiliations. His policies on areas such as immigration and healthcare could alienate potential supporters among moderate conservatives and independents.
Among the notable clips in Donalds’ second ad is California Governor Gavin Newsom making a controversial remark and Rep. Ayanna Pressley calling for societal unrest. These statements contrast sharply with Jolly’s assertion that the Democratic Party is currently “very rational.” Such juxtaposition works to solidify Donalds’ narrative that Jolly’s new political home is aligned with extremism.
The campaign strategy is enhanced by digital media savvy, with the second ad utilizing Donalds’ “Byron War Room” channel and gaining traction on social platforms. This approach forces Jolly to remain on the defensive rather than setting the debate’s agenda.
Jolly’s campaign has responded by labeling Donalds as a “Trump-aligned extremist,” but he has avoided directly addressing the criticisms raised in Donalds’ ads, including his own statements featured prominently. This lack of a strong rebuttal could be detrimental to Jolly, as early polling indicates that Donalds holds an advantage among Republican voters, bolstered by his broad visibility in national media. Since kicking off his campaign, Donalds has raised over $12 million—more than enough to maintain a competitive edge.
While the governor’s race is still over a year away, the initial lines are being drawn. For Donalds, the challenge lies in using assertive messaging and aggressive tactics to define an opponent in a state that is trending red. For Jolly, the uphill battle is convincing Florida voters, particularly older and independent-minded constituents, that his Democratic values truly resonate with their own.
With the campaign gaining momentum, one thing remains certain: Florida’s political battleground will be anything but civil. As demonstrated in his Pinellas County campaign stop, Donalds is ready to take the fight to Jolly’s front door.
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