Clearwater voters weigh Jolly, Donalds platforms in open governor's race

Florida voters face an open gubernatorial race in November because constitutional term limits bar Gov. Ron DeSantis from seeking a third term. The two main candidates, Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly, have released detailed platforms addressing the state's most pressing financial and infrastructure challenges.

The candidates diverge sharply on the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers. Jolly proposes a one-year moratorium on new facilities to evaluate their impact on electricity, water, and property values. He states that a permanent ban remains possible based on the research. Donalds supports allowing development but requires facilities to pay their own utility costs under existing state laws, emphasizing that local governments should retain control over zoning and permitting.

Property insurance remains a central issue for homeowners. Jolly claims his proposal for a state catastrophic fund covering wind and hurricane risks could reduce premiums by 60% to 70%. He suggests funding this through tourist taxes and restrictions on insurer profit shifting. Donalds supports preserving the existing system while making state-backed reinsurance cheaper and more accessible. His plan includes preserving tort reforms, keeping Citizens Property Insurance small, and creating an insurance scorecard to track claims and denials.

Education policy highlights contrasting visions for public and private institutions. Jolly advocates for greater state investment in public schools, including higher teacher pay and expanded early childhood education. He also proposes applying the same basic standards to private schools receiving taxpayer-funded vouchers. Donalds wants to expand school choice so education funding follows the student. He proposes free tutoring for struggling third-graders and bonus pay for high-performing reading teachers.

On property taxes, the candidates take different approaches to Amendment 3. Donalds supports the amendment with the ultimate goal of eliminating homestead property taxes entirely. He suggests targeted relief for working families and seniors if broad elimination is delayed. Jolly opposes Amendment 3 due to the high financial burden it places on local governments. He favors targeted property tax relief such as expanded exemptions for first-time buyers.

Infrastructure plans also differ. Donalds wants to build infrastructure faster to match population growth, prioritizing roads, bridges, and energy projects while cutting regulatory delays. Jolly advocates for restoring comprehensive statewide growth management. He calls for increased investments in transportation, housing, multimodal transit, and high-speed rail before expansion continues.

The candidates will continue campaigning in the weeks leading up to the election, with debates scheduled to address these policy differences.