HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WINK) — Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is responding to President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Southwest Florida, saying he welcomes the president’s decision to campaign with Republican candidate Byron Donalds.
Trump is scheduled to campaign in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 23, alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, who is running to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
WINK News asked Jolly about Trump’s planned visit Tuesday night after Jolly campaigned alongside former President Bill Clinton in Hollywood.
“Look, I think it’s great that the president’s coming to give a closing message on behalf of Byron Donald’s, and I suspect that Byron Donald’s will be standing right there alongside him, and they can make their case to voters as to why the Trump economy is something that should be continued, and I’m going to make a different case,” Jolly said.
Jolly had addressed Trump’s potential involvement in the governor’s race in an interview with MS NOW last month, before the Fort Myers visit was announced. At the time, he argued that Trump’s involvement could appeal to voters who have become frustrated with the MAGA movement.
“Look, we are winning the Florida governorship right now, and if Donald Trump comes in, he just reminds disaffected MAGA voters who now feel like they were used by the movement why they should consider voting for David Jolly,” Jolly told MS NOW.
Jolly added, “Donald Trump is an anchor around Byron Donald’s neck right now. I have encouraged them to campaign together, and I hope they do.”
Jolly’s comments came as he campaigned Tuesday night with Clinton at Koinonia Worship Center in Hollywood. Clinton discussed the cost of living, including housing, property insurance and health care, and urged voters to give Jolly a chance.
“I think we ought to give David Jolly a chance,” Clinton told attendees.
Jolly, a former Republican congressman, won the Democratic nomination for governor in August. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Trump’s planned appearance with Donalds brings the president to Southwest Florida less than two weeks before voters decide the race for governor.