Friends of Byron Donalds, a political committee supporting Rep. Donalds' gubernatorial campaign released an ad criticizing Democratic opponent David Jolly for his stances on a slew of tax policies affecting everyday Americans.
The 30-second ad was shared by Rep. Donalds on his 'X' page.
"Wait tables to make ends meet, and David Jolly wants to tax you more for it. You work overtime, and David Jolly wants to tax you more for it. You finally retire on Social Security, and David Jolly wants to tax you more for it," the ad states. "David Jolly wants more taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security."
The ad closes by calling Jolly a "Liberal." Jolly, a former Republican, switched his party affiliation to Democrat in April 2025 to run in the gubernatorial election.
"Florida just can't afford more of him," the ad concludes.Â
Rep. Donalds commented on the ad by contrasting his tax positions.
"I voted for no tax on tips. I voted for no tax on overtime. I voted for no tax on social security," Donalds wrote. "We delivered real relief. David Jolly opposed that legislation because he’s a classic high-tax Democrat — he thinks your money belongs to the bureaucrats."
The ad follows another by Friends of Byron Donalds attacking Jolly on transgender issues earlier this month. Rep. Donalds also shared an ad criticizing Jolly for his "far-left" Democratic positions just a few days ago.
Jolly pushed back on the notion that he's far-left during an interview last week.
Donalds and Jolly are vying for the gubernatorial nomination on Nov. 3. The outcome is likely to highlight Florida's political landscape depending on the result.
Republicans have not lost the governorship since 1994 when challenger Jeb Bush was defeated by Democrat Lawton Chiles. Since then, the GOP won seven consecutive gubernatorial elections starting with Bush in 1998 all the way up to Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term.
He will leave office on Jan. 5, 2027.
