Byron Donalds

Republican Byron Donalds challenged presumptive Democratic nominee David Jolly to three gubernatorial debates.

A recent poll shows Donalds with a five-point lead over Jolly in a hypothetical general election matchup.

Donalds has declined to debate his Republican primary opponents, drawing criticism from his rivals.

For Byron Donalds, the Aug. 18 primary election is effectively decided.

The same day a poll showed him leading David Jolly by five points, the Republican candidate for governor challenged the presumptive Democratic nominee to three debates, calling him a "radical."

In a minute-long video posted to the X platform July 20, Donalds – a Naples congressman – drew a stark contrast with Jolly, saying he stands for "high taxes" and "boys in girls' sports," while Donalds represents "common sense conservative principles."

"I think when the time comes for these debates, you're gonna see my vision is one for a free Florida that puts the people of Florida first, protects the Florida dream, expands our economies, and make sure that Florida remains No. 1 in all of America," Donalds said.

Jolly's response? "Get through your primary and we'll talk," he said, also on X.

Decision Desk HQ’s polling average as of July 17 shows Donalds on top of the GOP pack with about 44%. As for the other leading Republicans, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is at 12%, conservative influencer James Fishback has 10% and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner is polling below 5%.

Donalds' challenge to Jolly comes even as he has declined to debate his fellow Republican candidates, saying he did not want to "elevate campaigns that have not demonstrated an ability to be viable."

For instance, Fishback shot back on X: "You’re in *no position* to challenge anyone to a debate after you refuse(d) to show up to the @PatrickBetDavid debate," referring to Donalds' decision to skip a July 2 gubernatorial debate hosted by the conservative podcaster that featured the other Republican candidates.

Jolly, a former Republican who also served in Congress from Pinellas County, became the Democrat to beat when Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspended his campaign in June after disclosing a prostate cancer diagnosis. Since then, state Rep. Dotie Joseph, a North Miami Democrat, launched a long-shot campaign for governor.

Earlier on July 20, a statewide poll of likely midterm election voters by the Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida (UNF) showed Donalds, endorsed by President Donald Trump, leading 46%-41% in a hypothetical matchup with Jolly, with 6% undecided.

Donalds has not yet announced a running mate; former congresswoman and Biden administration official Gwen Graham, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018, is Jolly's pick for lieutenant governor.

Later in the day, Donalds' campaign manager Chris Hudson issued an invitation to "television networks, local broadcasters, streaming platforms and qualified media organizations to submit proposals" to host one of the debates: "The goal is not political theater, but rather a meaningful discussion," he said.

The general election is Nov. 3, with early voting starting in late October.