Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly speaks to attendees at a Tampa Tiger Bay event. Photo by Daria Mironova/WMNF News
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly faced questions about property taxes, disability services, and the citrus industry at a Tampa Tiger Bay event. He also explained why he will not debate Republican nominee Byron Donalds.
Jolly named housing, health care, education, and opposition to data centers as his campaign priorities. Audience members then asked how he would handle other Florida challenges, from shrinking citrus production to the cost of local services.
Property taxes and Amendment 3
One attendee asked what Jolly would do about property tax relief whether Amendment 3 passes or fails. The proposed constitutional amendment would change Florida’s homestead tax exemptions.
“I anticipate voting no on Amendment 3,” Jolly said. “I don’t think the math works.”
Jolly said Floridians need property tax relief, but he argued that the amendment could leave some counties struggling to pay for services. Moreover, he suggested a larger homestead exemption for first-time homebuyers and said Florida could consider other targeted relief.
Local candidates introduce themselves to the audience before David Jolly speaks at a Tampa Tiger Bay event. Photo by Daria Mironova/WMNF News.
Support for people with disabilities
In the next discussion, Martha Stem told Jolly that her daughter has a disability. She asked whether he would continue supporting services that let people live independently at home and in their communities.
Jolly described receiving care at home and in the community as a civil right.
“The priority is to make sure that people who deserve care have care,” he said.
Rural Florida
Later, another attendee highlighted falling citrus production and the loss of small farms and groves. He asked Jolly what he would do for rural Florida.
The gubernatorial candidate said the state should continue research into citrus greening. He also suggested helping farmers move to other crops if they could no longer grow citrus successfully, rather than lose their land to development.
Why Jolly will not debate Donalds
One attendee asked Jolly to change his mind about debating Donalds.
Jolly said, “Initially I had accepted two debates; I was open to it.”
Ultimately, he explained that he learned through a press release that Donalds had announced three proposed debates without first discussing them with his campaign.
Jolly said he believed a debate would give a platform to what he called “lies and bad faith and vitriol” and add to political division. He argued that voters have other opportunities to hear from candidates.
“My answer is no to general election debates, and it’s my final decision,” he said.
Jolly closed by repeating the priorities he named at the start.
Donalds did not speak at the event.
Florida’s gubernatorial election is November 3.