Trump-backed Byron Donalds refuses to back down on debate boycott, says it would only help struggling Republican rivals who will ‘stay in single digits’
Florida – With Florida’s Republican primary drawing closer, Byron Donalds is showing no signs of changing course on one of the most talked-about issues in the governor’s race.
The Trump-endorsed congressman continues to reject calls for a Republican primary debate, arguing that sharing a stage with his opponents would only boost candidates who, in his view, have failed to earn meaningful support from Florida voters.
Less than a week before the Florida Republican Party’s “Sunshine State Showdown,” Donalds doubled down on his position, pointing to his commanding lead in both fundraising and public polling as evidence that the race has already taken shape.
Donalds says rivals have not earned a debate
During an appearance on This Week in South Florida, Donalds was asked whether Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner should be considered viable candidates for governor.
His answer was immediate. “No they’re not.”
Pressed further, Donalds explained his reasoning by saying, “Viability is just not having a title. Viability is having support of the voters of Florida.”
That message echoed remarks he delivered at a Miami campaign rally one day earlier, where he highlighted what he described as a widening gap between his campaign and the rest of the Republican field. “If you look at the polling in this race, the last couple of months, we’re at 50% in the polls and climbing. That’s right. These other candidates are in single digits. And that is where they are going to stay,” Donalds said.
His campaign is also dominating financially. Donalds and his affiliated political committee reportedly have roughly $65 million available to spend. By comparison, Collins has less than $6 million, Renner has under $3 million, while businessman James Fishback has raised roughly $200,000.
Those financial advantages have been reflected in polling, where Donalds has consistently held majority support while the rest of the Republican field remains far behind.
Not surprisingly, Donalds has argued that participating in a debate would simply provide his opponents with a platform they have not earned.
Trump’s endorsement transformed the race
Donalds also spoke about the endorsement that reshaped the Republican contest before it officially began.
President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds five days before he entered the race, giving his campaign immediate momentum.
Asked whether he expected the endorsement, Donalds admitted his team had hoped for it but did not know if it would happen.
He recalled receiving a phone call from Trump shortly after the endorsement was posted online. “I just endorsed you,” Trump told him, according to Donalds, adding that Vice President JD Vance was with the president in the Oval Office and that Trump told him he was backing the campaign completely before saying, “Go win.”
According to Donalds, Trump’s backing was a major turning point but not the only reason for his commanding position today.
He said the endorsement “put rocket fuel” into his campaign, but emphasized that he has spent the last 16 months traveling throughout Florida, meeting with business leaders, nonprofit organizations, clergy members and voters across the state.
During the interview, Donalds also credited Trump’s support with helping attract significant financial backing from national political organizations and donors.
Debate controversy continues
Donalds remains the only Republican candidate who qualified for the state party’s planned primary debate after meeting the required thresholds for polling, fundraising and donor support.
Still, he has chosen not to participate.
His decision has generated criticism, including from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has described the absence of a debate as a “farce.”
Despite those objections, Florida’s Republican establishment appears to be increasingly lining up behind Donalds.
In addition to Trump’s endorsement, Donalds has secured backing from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, most of Florida’s Republican congressional delegation, a majority of Republican members in the Florida House and most of the state’s sheriffs.
Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson is also scheduled to appear alongside Donalds at an event, a move that has fueled speculation another major endorsement could soon be announced.
Outlining his vision for Florida
Beyond the debate controversy, Donalds used the interview to discuss several major policy issues.
When asked about rising electricity costs, he blamed federal energy policies adopted during the Biden and Obama administrations for encouraging expensive solar and wind projects.
Instead, Donalds argued that Florida should expand nuclear energy, invest in small modular nuclear reactors and develop another natural gas pipeline to provide more affordable and dependable electricity.
He said lower-cost, reliable energy would help stabilize utility bills for both families and businesses.
Donalds also addressed the proposed property tax amendment that Florida voters will consider in November.
While acknowledging that lawmakers moved the proposal quickly, he said voters should carefully study the available information before making a decision.
He argued that local governments contributed to the current property tax burden by failing to reduce tax rates as property values increased over recent years.
According to Donalds, if the amendment passes, state leaders will need to carefully balance funding for local services while protecting public safety. If voters reject it, he said the state’s Tax and Budget Commission should conduct a broad review of taxes and fees and recommend long-term reforms.
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On education, Donalds defended school choice programs while also addressing questions about his wife’s involvement in education-related businesses.
He insisted there would be “a very deep and thick wall” separating any state decisions from his family’s private business interests if he becomes governor.
Asked what kind of governor he hopes to be, Donalds described himself as calm and approachable. “I’m very even-keeled,” he said, adding that he wants an administration with an open-door policy where different viewpoints can be discussed before decisions are made.
Even with weeks remaining before the Republican primary, Donalds’ overwhelming fundraising advantage, strong polling numbers, and backing from President Trump continue to reinforce his status as the clear front-runner. His refusal to debate has become one of the campaign’s biggest talking points, but Donalds argues that the numbers speak for themselves and insists his Republican challengers are unlikely to gain ground before Florida voters cast their ballots.
