The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) announced it has not sanctioned any special election U.S. Senate or gubernatorial debate following the August primary for the general election despite multiple reports of dates set for both races in October at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
"To be clear: the Republican Party of Florida has not sanctioned or agreed to any debates in statewide races," the RPOF wrote. "Any discussions that have taken place were explicitly focused on post-Primary negotiations; to be conducted with our nominees, their campaigns, and the opposing party. Those campaigns were not party to any prior discussions."
Organized by "Decision 2026 Before YOU Vote," the U.S. Senate debate is scheduled for Oct. 13 while the gubernatorial debate is scheduled for Oct. 15th in Boca Raton. Before YOU Vote is the longest running televises debate series in Florida history.
"It is unfortunate that a collection of political interest groups and media outlets have attempted to hijack this process for their own publicity and unilaterally dictate terms to the candidates. That is not how this works," the RPOF said.
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), the likely Republican nominee, is competing against Democratic candidates Alex Vindman and Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) in the Senate special election.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback are competing in the Republican primary for governor against presumptive Democratic nominee David Jolly.
“We look forward to the people of Florida witnessing substantive and thought-provoking debates that clearly highlight the stark differences between our Conservative Republican candidates and the far-left Democrat candidates,” Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said.
“Floridians deserve to hear David Jolly and Alex Vindman defend their radical agenda on the debate stage against our Republican nominees after the August Primary. From supporting men in women’s sports and bathrooms to pushing open borders, their extreme positions will be on full display,” Power continued.
David Jolly also pushed back on any confirmed gubernatorial debate on social media.
"Our campaign is actively considering multiple debate requests. We have not confirmed any as of today," Jolly wrote. "The announcement by Decision 2026 and the party chairs of an October 15 gubernatorial debate at FAU is premature and was done without coordination with the candidates."
