Republican Byron Donalds, candidate for governor in Florida, has removed several mentions of President Donald Trump from his campaign website. This decision coincides with tightening poll numbers against Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican. Despite having secured Trump’s endorsement, Donalds faces a competitive race.
Florida’s Political Landscape
Florida has previously trended conservative, with Trump winning the state by 13 points in 2024. However, recent polls indicate a closer contest than expected. Democrats see potential to expand their influence in traditionally Republican states, like Florida, by capitalizing on Trump’s declining approval.
Website Changes
Donalds’ campaign website no longer prominently features Trump. As of September 22, it leads with the message “Fighting to defend the Florida dream,” accompanied by a video of Donalds with family at an event. The site labels him a “proven conservative fighter for Florida,” detailing his stances on issues like affordability, healthcare, and education.
Previously, a September 3 screen grab showed support for Trump prominently highlighted, including phrases like “Trump Endorsed” in red. The page had multiple references to Trump’s endorsement alongside photographs of both Donalds and Trump.
The current site includes scant references to Trump, focusing instead on endorsements from notable conservatives like Elon Musk and House Speaker Mike Johnson. The Miami Herald was the first to report on these website changes. Donalds’ campaign has not commented on the adjustment.
Comments from Opponents
Jolly responded to these changes in a statement, expressing skepticism about Donalds’ allegiance to Trump, recalling past favorable comments. Newsweek reached out to Donalds’ campaign for a comment.
White House Perspective
A White House spokesperson referred to Trump as the leader for the Republican Party. They emphasized the choice between Trump’s agenda and the Democrats’ policies.
Polling Insights
Recent polls suggest a tight race between Donalds and Jolly. A St. Pete Polls survey highlighted a near tie, with Donalds at 44 percent support and Jolly at 43 percent. Meanwhile, a Change Research poll showed Jolly leading by 3 points. Conversely, other polls had Donalds ahead by varying margins.
Republican Realignments
Some Republicans are distancing from Trump ahead of midterms. Notably, Representative Andy Barr in Kentucky and Representative Young Kim in California removed Trump references from their sites. In Florida, Representative María Elvira Salazar criticized Trump’s immigration policies.
In Iowa, Representative Ashley Hinson, who had Trump’s endorsement, called for an end to Iran conflict impacts due to rising fuel prices.
Trump’s Approval Rating
Recent polling reflects new lows for Trump’s approval. An American Research Poll found his rating at 29 percent. Other polls, like YouGov and The Economist, showcased similar disapproval figures, emphasizing Trump’s current challenges.
Future Projections
Despite current poll fluctuations, Donalds is still favored. The Cook Political Report classifies the race as Likely Republican, while Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it as Lean Republican. Jolly has declined to debate Donalds. More voting information is expected after October 4, as per Florida’s secretary of state office.
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