NewsWLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)August 18, 2026Miami-Dade
David Jolly campaigns for Florida Governor, citing path to victory despite significant fundraising gap
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is campaigning for the November election while trailing Republican opponent Byron Donalds in fundraising by a 10-to-1 margin. Jolly argues that his campaign can overcome the spending deficit by focusing on affordability issues and appealing to voters across party lines.
Read the full story at WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)Why It Matters
The race determines the next Governor of Florida, with candidates currently debating the impact of campaign spending, transgender rights policies, and economic priorities on the state's future.
Key Facts
- Byron Donalds has spent $55.8 million on his campaign since February 2025.
- David Jolly has raised approximately $10 million and has less than $4 million in cash-on-hand.
- Polling averages show Byron Donalds leading David Jolly by six points in a general election matchup.
- Byron Donalds leads the GOP primary field by nearly 32 points according to RealClearPolitics.
- Florida currently has a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and limited access for adults, which remains in effect pending court review.
- David Jolly stated he would not attempt to change current state laws regarding transgender sports participation, leaving the matter to the courts.
- The Florida electorate contains 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats.
- No Democrat has won a state-level race in Florida since 2018.
Who's Mentioned
personByron Donalds“Republican candidate for Florida Governor”personKamala Harris“U.S. Vice President”personBrian Nathan“Hillsborough County state Senator”organizationFlorida Phoenix“News publication”personRon DeSantis“Florida Governor”personAndrew Warren“Former Hillsborough County State Attorney”personDavid Jolly“Democratic candidate for Florida Governor”personDonald Trump“Former U.S. President”