MIAMI, Fla. (WINK) — Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, the Democratic nominee for Florida Governor, announced he will not debate Republican nominee Byron Donalds in the general election.
Jolly released a statement explaining his decision. He cited what he described as dishonesty and divisiveness in the current campaign environment.
“It is clear, given the tenor of the current campaign environment, including Byron’s repeated lies and bad faith, that debates this cycle would not create constructive, honest conversation and only further stoke division, animosity, and bad will,” Jolly said. “That’s not something I wish to do for our state.”
According to the statement, Jolly had accepted multiple debate invitations before this week. Donalds refused those debates and instead set his own terms through a press release, the statement said.
Jolly accused Donalds of running false advertisements and misleading voters. He said Donalds appears to be seeking platforms to continue spreading misinformation.
“The voting community has been well informed in the last 18 months of campaigning, through more than 300 town halls and community meetings, and we will continue to inform voters through dozens more events and online outreach,” Jolly said. “I encourage Byron to do the same.”
Jolly referenced Donalds’ own words from the GOP primary when Donalds declined debate requests from his opponents. Jolly said Donalds told those opponents it was not his job to platform their campaigns.
“I look forward to the final six weeks of this campaign, crisscrossing the state and meeting voters in their communities—red, blue, and purple—and I look forward to an election night that will bring new leadership to the State of Florida,” Jolly said.
The gubernatorial election is six weeks away.