Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., is brushing off calls to debate his Republican rivals in Florida’s gubernatorial race, arguing his opponents remain stuck in single digits while he holds a commanding lead ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.
“I’ve been consistent,” Donalds told Fox News Digital when asked about criticism of his refusal to participate in debates. “These guys are in single digits. They stay in single digits.”
Donalds has argued there is no reason to debate given the large lead he has maintained throughout the campaign leading up to the primary.
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The Florida Republican, retiring from the House to run for governor, has consistently polled at roughly 50%, with all his opponents trailing far behind in single digits. His campaign has also vastly outraised the rest of the field, collecting over $90 million.
“They should spend their time going to see the people of Florida because they’re not getting much support at all,” Donalds said.
Donalds entered the race with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, giving him a major boost among MAGA voters. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term limited, has not formally endorsed a candidate.
Donalds’ opponents include Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former House Speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback. The three participated in a debate earlier this month — without Donalds — though he was mentioned consistently throughout conversations.
Fishback has raised eyebrows with unconventional moves throughout his campaign. from using Tinder to “meet young female voters where they are” and proposing a “sin tax” that drew the ire of multiple women on OnlyFans.
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Fishback recently attempted to disrupt one of Donalds’ campaign events, where the controversial candidate stood outside and shouted for Donalds to participate in a GOP gubernatorial debate.
“Another stunt,” Donalds told Fox News Digital about Fishback showing up to his event. “Another stunt with people trying to get attention as opposed to, you know, taking their mission, their vision, their ideas to the people of Florida to earn support.
“I’m not going to play with stunts. I’m not going to engage in that stuff.”
Fishback pushed back on Donalds’ criticism, telling Fox News Digital he has spent more time meeting with voters than any other candidate in the race.
“I’m the only campaign in Florida history running for governor that has met voters in all 67 counties,” Fishback said. “I have done twice as many events as Byron Donalds in just the last month.”
On Donalds’ refusal to debate, Fishback argued voters deserve to see the candidates face off.
“That’s what Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tried to do,” Fishback said. “And it seems that he’s closer to them than he is to Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump, who consistently engage in debate. Voters deserve candidates who are willing to debate before them.”
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Fishback also appeared unfazed when asked about his single-digit polling, compared to Donalds as the frontrunner in the race.
“The only poll that matters is Aug. 18, 2026. Election night,” he said.
Florida’s primary election will be held Aug. 18, and Donalds is still projected to be far ahead in the polls compared to the remaining GOP candidates.
“We’re in a really good position, but we take nothing for granted, so just keep working,” Donalds said.
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