Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) released a pair of campaign ads featuring his mother describing his challenging upbringing and perseverance through education coming from Brooklyn, New York.
The ad, titled "Proud," was shared on Rep. Donalds' social media page.
"Two jobs, three kids, not much, but a lot of love. My father always said we did not come from Jamaica to Skylark and fool around," Meredith Brown, mother of Byron Donalds says in the advertisement.Â
Rep. Donalds moved from Brooklyn to Florida in 1996 at 17 and attended Florida A&M University. He later transferred and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in finance and marketing.
"So, I told Byron, 'You better study hard, work hard, and apply yourself.'Â Byron lived it. He'll fight for Florida's families struggling like we did," Brown concludes.Â
Donalds would go on to serve in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020 before becoming a congressman in Florida's 19th District where he currently sits.
The other ad, titled "Playing Field," shows Ms. Brown using education to "level the playing field" by taking Donalds to places growing up in New York.
"I took him everywhere: the Brooklyn Museum, the United Nations. I wasn't raising a bystander," Brown says.Â
Brown says Donalds will continue that outlook as governor.
"Byron fought for Florida's families, now he's ready to lead Florida. "I'm proud of him because of who he has always been. Vote for my son Byron Donalds," Brown concludes.Â
Donalds is looking to become Florida's 5th straight Republican governor since 1999. His opponent, David Jolly, is hoping to end the streak by becoming the first elected Democrat since 1994.
According to recent polling, Donalds is ahead of Jolly by five points. However, polls range from two points to double-digits over the last month, with a few polls showing Jolly tied in the race.
The election is Nov. 3.
