VOLUSIA, Fla \u2013 Democrat David Jolly brought his campaign for Florida governor to Daytona Beach Saturday, underscoring the growing focus on Volusia County as candidates crisscross the state ahead of the Nov. 4 election.<\/p>\n
Jolly stopped at a local church days after making campaign stops in Orlando, Tampa and South Florida. He said the I-4 corridor, which includes Volusia County, reflects a wide range of issues facing voters.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, the I-4 corridor is incredibly diverse,\u201d Jolly said. \u201cBut I think what we also see in Volusia is the real diversity of economic conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jolly\u2019s visit came just days after Republican Byron Donalds campaigned in the area, stopping at a resort in Daytona Beach Shores. Donalds also visited Kissimmee before heading to South Florida.<\/p>\n
At his Volusia County stop, Donalds told attendees he wanted to hear from them directly.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go around the room, introduce yourselves, and let\u2019s have a dialogue,\u201d Donalds said.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Jolly focused on issues he said are dividing Floridians, criticizing culture-war politics and calling for a state fund to respond to major natural disasters. He also targeted Donalds, accusing him of moving away from President Donald Trump as Trump\u2019s popularity declines.<\/p>\n
Donalds pushed back this week on claims that he is distancing himself from Trump after his campaign website removed major references to Trump\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not distancing ourselves from President Trump,\u201d Donalds said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been planning on making website changes for about two months now, coming out of the primary. We wanted the website to be purely on the issues that we\u2019re campaigning on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donalds added, \u201cPresident Trump has endorsed us. Grateful to have his endorsement.\u201d<\/p>\n
The candidates are offering sharply different messages on the campaign trail, but both have acknowledged that whoever wins will need to work with Florida\u2019s Republican-dominated Legislature. That includes addressing possible local budget shortfalls if property tax relief passes.<\/p>\n
Jolly said the state must focus on affordability, education and health care.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the economy is leaving a lot of people behind,\u201d Jolly said. \u201cHousing and health care in particular, that we\u2019ve abandoned education and that the culture wars have divided people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donalds has emphasized cost concerns as well, including price transparency.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrice transparency is one of the cornerstones of stabilizing costs,\u201d Donalds said. \u201cBecause then everybody knows what everybody else is charging.\u201d<\/p>\n
With voting by mail underway, the race for Florida governor is now fully in motion. Election Day is Nov. 4.<\/p>\n
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