Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor of Florida, posted a Fox News clip on X in which he called the state common-sense and law-and-order, said small businesses thrive there, and pledged to continue Gov. Ron DeSantis’s work and “keep Florida free.” In the clip, Donalds warned against what he described as failed Democratic leadership in California and New York as he faces Democrat David Jolly. Online users reacted after the post, with replies questioning insurance, rent, and housing costs in Florida.
In the clip, Donalds says, “We are a law and order state” and “We’re a common sense state,” then says, “so many people have chosen Florida to get away from New York, from New Jersey, from Texas, from Illinois and California.”
He asks, “Why would you bring in the same type of leadership that destroyed those states,” and says that leadership “made those states unlivable,” “unsafe,” and “less affordable.”
He closes by saying Florida should “continue to build the Florida dream” and “build on top of the great work of Governor DeSantis these last eight years.”
In the caption, Donalds wrote that Florida is a common-sense, law-and-order state where small businesses thrive, that the state “can’t afford the same failed Democrat leadership that ruined California and New York,” and that he will continue DeSantis’s work and “keep Florida free.”
He is running against Democrat David Jolly in the Nov. 3 election. Recent surveys are split: a Stetson University poll showed Donalds ahead 51% to 39%, a St. Pete Polls survey showed 44% to 43%, and a Change Research survey showed Jolly ahead 48% to 46%.
Responses to the Florida Governor Clip
Some viewers backed the pitch. One wrote, “God bless you guys and thank you for your strong leadership.”
Another said Donald “is worthy” and “a great voice for America First and Florida,” adding that he is the nominee and “praises DeSantis and the direction Florida has taken.”
A third asked, “Thank you, Trump and DeSantis. Can you follow those steps, Byron?”
Others rejected the claim that the state is working for residents. Fred Guttenberg wrote that this is why David Jolly “will be the next governor of Florida,” pointing to gas prices, homeowners insurance, home costs, and rent. He said, “Nope, definitely not working for Floridians,” after “3 decades of Republican rule.”
Another viewer wrote, “Common sense means rejecting Byron Donalds,” and called Jolly “the better choice.”
A quote-post said Republicans have “ruled this State for nearly 30 years” and cited “unaffordable home insurance.”
The Florida governor’s race is still open, and Donalds’s remarks add one more moment to the argument over whether the state should stay on its current path. Voters will settle that question on Nov. 3.
