In a spirited rally held in Doral, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has galvanized his supporters, urging them to vote early as he maintains a substantial lead in the Republican primary for Florida governor. With the primary election just three weeks away, Donalds is focusing on preserving what he calls the Florida dream—a vision of economic growth, individual liberty, and limited government.
Joined by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, Donalds emphasized the importance of early voting, which begins in Miami-Dade County on Monday. He expressed confidence in his campaign’s momentum, stating that his lead is 40 points ahead of his competitors. “In 22 days, your voice is gonna be heard. In 22 days, your vote is gonna be counted, and in 22 days, we’re going to win the Republican nomination for governor in Florida,” Donalds declared.
Defending the Florida Dream
Donalds framed his campaign around the Florida dream which he described as the embodiment of the American dream. He highlighted the state’s economic success and its appeal to those seeking freedom and opportunity. “We’re going to make sure that our economy grows, that jobs are built, that industry which is leaving New York and leaving Illinois and leaving California […] Those states embrace socialism. Those states do not support family values, and that’s why people keep coming to Florida,” he said.
Sen. Rick Scott praised Donalds’ record and his commitment to fighting for the state’s economic prosperity. “He’s a fighter, and you saw it when he was in the state legislature, and now you see it in Congress,” Scott said. “Whatever he believes in, he’s going to fight for it. So I’m excited about his campaign and about his race.” Scott also emphasized the need for strong law enforcement and early voting, urging supporters to lock in their votes early.
Looking Ahead to the General Election
As the Republican primary approaches, Donalds is already looking ahead to the general election. He warned that Democrats would nominate a candidate who lacks conviction on core conservative principles, specifically criticizing Democrat david jolly. “David Jolly is going to tell you it’s okay to be like Virginia. He’s going to tell you it’s okay to be like Illinois. He’s going to tell you it’s okay to be like New York,” Donalds said.
Donalds vowed to protect the values that make Florida unique, emphasizing the importance of individual liberty and limited government. “As your next governor, we’re going to protect the puberty of our kids because our children belong to their parents. They do not belong to government,” he stated. He also called on Venezuelan and other immigrant voters who fled socialism to be “the tip of the spear” in both the primary and the general election.
Campaign Trail Intensifies
With Congress out of session for its August recess, Donalds plans to spend the coming weeks campaigning across Florida. He has already knocked on 320,000 doors and raised at least $103 million for his campaign. “I’m going to be all over the state of Florida every single day campaigning and working hard,” he promised.
Donalds acknowledged that the general election against David Jolly will be tougher and reiterated his desire to debate his opponent. “The issues about the future of Florida are real to everybody in our state. Democrats, independents, Republicans: everybody wants to know what’s going to come next for Florida and what’s going to happen next with Florida’s Governor and the leadership from that person,” he said.
Despite his busy campaign schedule, Donalds intends to complete his term in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. This means his campaign schedule will be restricted to time away from official duties, potentially giving Jolly an advantage in reaching voters this fall.
The Republican primary is set for August 18th with early voting in Miami-Dade beginning on Monday. As the campaign intensifies, Donalds remains focused on his vision for Florida’s future, urging voters to support his candidacy and preserve the Florida dream.
