Jonathan Roman | Staff Writer 

Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor, is in the midst of a campaign blitz on the “Defending the Florida Dream Tour.” Donalds rallied Republican supporters at two South Florida Cuban restaurants. 

He started the Miami tour at La Carreta restaurant. In a crowded room packed with supporters, he rallied about law and order and affordability for Floridians. 

“This is a real simple one, we’re gonna keep this short and sweet. In 14 days, Florida will choose a new governor… in 14 days, I’m gonna be your new governor,” Donalds said as he started the event. 

The crowd cheered “USA, USA, USA.” 

Donalds likened the protest in Paris to what will happen if Democrats win in November. 

“Does everybody see what’s going on in Paris right now?” Donalds asked the crowd. “These riots and radicalism happen in a country that happens in a city that happens in a state where your leadership is weak and your leadership is soft.” Donalds Said. 

“We’re not gonna have the craziness of the radical left here in Florida, we’re not gonna have that.” Donalds said. 

Donalds pivoted to affordability, which has remained the main issues for the voters. An NBC 6 poll found cost of living is the top issue for Floridians.

“We have to drive prices down for people.” “We want young children to be able to achieve a great dream in Florida,” Donalds said. 

Donalds and other speakers encouraged the crowd to tell their friends, families and neighbors to vote Republican. 

The crowd responded energetically, cheering the candidate. The event ended with a final note “Florida will never be a home to socialism,” Donalds said. 

After the event, Donalds met with supporters outside his campaign bus, where he took photos and spoke to supporters.  

Bryan Avila, Donalds running mate, stopped at “Islas Canarias,” another Cuban staple restaurant, to rally supporters. 

State Rep. Juan Porras appealed to the Cuban American audience: “No one knows more about how bad socialism is and communism than the people in this room,” 

“This is not about Democrats versus Republicans anymore. We are talking about the fundamental values of ours… This November, we are talking about capitalism versus socialism,” Porras said. 

Avilia started by saying there are two different visions of Florida, saying, “One is really a nightmare.” He likened Democratic ideas to the protest in Paris.

“We do not want that here in the state of Florida,” Avilia said. He reiterated to supporters to talk to 10 people every day: “I can assure you, that will be the difference,” 

The midterm election is 2 weeks away, and a new UNF University of North Florida poll found Republicans hold a razor-thin majority over Democrats. 

Byron Donalds leads Democrat David Jolly by 2 percentage points. The margin has narrowed. According to the poll 49% would vote forDonalds and 47% said they would vote for Jolly. Four percent of respondents were undecided. 

PantherNOW reached out to College Republicans for comment but did not receive a response. 

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