Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) released a campaign ad criticizing Democratic opponent David Jolly's insurance plan and its hurricane tax on Florida families.
The ad, titled "Disaster," was shared by Rep. Donalds on social media.
"How much will David Jolly's hurricane tax cost Florida? According to a new study, a thousand dollars per Florida family every single year," the ad says.
It specifically cited a Florida State University feasibility study for its claim.
The ad goes on to slam the tax for families across the state.
"No matter where the storm hits. Jolly's hurricane tax will hit everyone," the ad says. "Higher home insurance. Higher car insurance, even higher renter's insurance. A giant bailout for big insurance. A giant ripoff for you."
"David Jolly, a total disaster for Florida," the ad closes.
According to his own website, Jolly's plan calls for expanding the state catastrophic fund and remove hurricane coverage from the private market which he says will cut premiums by 60 to 70 percent. Jolly estimates the cost to fund his new catastrophic fund at $30 to 40 billion.
Rep. Donalds slammed Jolly's plan on his page.
"David Jolly's insurance plan would create a $1000 hurricane tax on Florida families and bail out big insurance companies," Donalds wrote. "I'm fighting to make Florida more affordable. His radical liberal policies will make it more expensive."
The ad is the latest by Rep. Donalds and Friends of Byron Donalds, a political action committee supporting his campaign against Jolly in their gubernatorial matchup. The PAC slammed Jolly for his tax policies, transgender issues, and "far-left" polices just last month, and more are likely to come against him before the Nov. 3 general election.
Donalds has also called for three debates against Jolly in their contest, but nothing appears to be set in stone by the two camps as of now.
Jolly responded to the advertisement, saying, "Byron Donalds is sadly lying to Florida's voters because he has no plan to reduce costs for homeowners. Our plan could reduce homeowners insurance by 60 to 70%."
"While Byron focuses on misleading the people of Florida and cozying up to the special interests and corporations who raised insurance prices in the first place, we will continue to develop a serious agenda that cuts through the noise and delivers real relief," he concluded.
Byron is an asshole for trying to say that jolly would charge Florida taxpayers $1,000 for hurricane fees no matter where you live or what you do it would cost everybody $1,000 he has no right to say that and should have never sent it I have no faith in Byron Donald
Normally the Democrats are supposed to be for the “little guy”… The Hurricane Tax is a bailout to all the people that own beachfront property and currently pay the most in taxes. Yeah, a Hurricane Tax is a subsidy for the rich.
Yeah, try reading the article.
His plan is to use a tourism tax to cover more of the costs of insurance in Florida.
But we all know that all republicans can offer to the voters is scare tactics.
The comment by LexT is absolutely correct.
There is no evidence that Jolly proposes a hurricane tax on homeowners—neither value‑based nor flat.
His plan is an insurance restructuring, not a tax proposal.You should confirm details with official state sources or Jolly’s campaign materials, as political ads often mischaracterize policy.
The Byron Donald’s add is nothing but a lie. Do some research before you believe any ad Donald’s puts out.
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FSU Hurricane Feasibility Study — What It Is and How It’s Being Used
A Florida State University (FSU) feasibility study on hurricane coverage was prepared for the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. It is titled the “Expanded Windstorm Coverage Feasibility Study” and examines the idea of expanding Citizens Property Insurance’s wind‑only coverage to every home in Florida
***This is not a study of Governor‑candidate David Jolly’s current hurricane insurance plan, nor does it evaluate his proposal to expand the state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to absorb all hurricane and wind risk
*** The FSU study was commissioned for a 2025 House bill that proposed the wind‑only expansion