The Republican Party of Florida’s (RPOF) refusal to stage a debate between candidates for the party’s gubernatorial nomination continues to rankle incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis took to social media to say the upcoming Sunshine Showdown offered a “great opportunity” to have candidates face off.
The party previously said candidates must be at 10% support in the RPOF’s own poll, have raised more than $10 million, and have more than 10,000 donors.
Only U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds meets that threshold.
As a compromise, the party opted to let candidates speak rather than face off.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, political newcomer James Fishback, and former House Speaker Paul Renner would prefer debates. DeSantis’ continued outspokenness can only benefit their long-shot campaigns.
DeSantis previously said it was “ridiculous” that the party didn’t want the “candidates to mix it up.” He has also accused Florida GOP Chair Evan Power of “insulting the intelligence” of Republican voters. Additionally, DeSantis has suggested commercial media outlets could host debates.
In pushing for debates, DeSantis continues to attempt to shape the race to replace him without having endorsed a potential successor.
He has criticized Donalds as not being part of fights in the state against “the Left,” in an effort to undermine the Donald Trump backed Congressman from Naples.
At times, DeSantis, who was boosted by his own Trump endorsement eight years ago, has made disputable claims in an effort to interject himself into the campaign.
“I’ve heard secondhand what the criteria was. I wouldn’t have qualified when I ran in ‘18 for what they were trying to do,” DeSantis said Friday.
Donalds disputes DeSantis’ claims that he wouldn’t have made the debate stage. “We went back and checked,” he said during a recent media availability.
The post Ron DeSantis continues pressing for GOP Primary debates in Governor’s race appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..