TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly faced questions from students in Tallahassee on Monday as the former Republican congressman turned Democratic candidate hopes to ride a “blue wave.”
In Jolly’s town hall at Florida A&M University Monday, students were less vocal in response to his stance on academic, immigration and diversity policies in comparison to his Republican opponent, Byron Donalds.
Jolly affirmed that he plans to expand diversity in Florida’s public institutions if elected governor.
He also said that he would “aggressively” exercise his office to issue executive orders to provide state funding for local government DEI programs.
“Until we believe in the fundamental goodness of who we are as a people,” Jolly said. “Until we believe that everyone deserves access to good housing, healthcare and education, clean air and clean water. That all of history should be taught , not just the parts that our politicians want us to learn. None of that is going to happen if we don’t first believe that everyone deserves a shot.”
While there are no general election debates this year, both Donalds and Jolly held town halls where voters can see the candidates interact with the public outside of a controlled environment.
Jolly’s town hall on Monday completed FAMU’s gubernatorial series ahead of the general election on Nov. 3.
Jolly held several events in Tallahassee ahead of the town hall at FAMU, including a press conference.
“They are hyper-targeting disaffected Republican voters right now, because that’s one of the final fronts,” Jolly said. “But, I would say the most important front that this entire race could come down to is the 10% of undecided Black voters in Florida right now.”
Donalds held his town hall at FAMU last month. The university is a significant spot for both campaigns as Donalds hopes to become the first Black governor in state history, and Jolly hopes to bring Black voters to his campaign.
Over the weekend, Jolly organized aid for kids missing out on meals because of Hurricane Isaias. He noted that he suspended his own political advertising during the storm.
“Byron hit impacted communities with text messages saying, ‘Democrats are coming for me. Please give me more money.’ We succeeded, I believe, in our efforts to take down political advertising and we suspended fundraising writ large. We have now reengaged today,” Jolly said.
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