Jolly and Donalds split Polk County efforts as early voting closes

Both Florida gubernatorial candidates held separate rallies in Polk County on Monday to mobilize voters before the final days of the election. Democrat David Jolly addressed supporters at a church in Haines City. Republican Byron Donalds met with crowds at a sports bar in South Lakeland. The coordinated visits target a county that has historically favored Republicans but is seeing changes in its voter base.

Polk County holds a sizable voter registration advantage for the Republican Party. Despite that lead, party leaders expressed concern about early voter turnout. Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged the underperformance in social media posts last week. He later shared an update indicating an improvement in the Republican margin. The party is now focusing heavily on Election Day participation to close the gap.

The county's political shift is driven by population growth. Many new residents move to Polk County for its comparatively affordable housing. These residents often work in neighboring counties with higher Democratic voting rates, including Orange, Osceola, and Hillsborough. Sam Romain, chairman of the Polk County Republican Party, stated that this influx is altering the electorate. He described the county as becoming a more contested political battleground.

Romain said Republican turnout on Election Day will be critical to the party's performance in the area. Donalds expressed confidence that more Republicans are choosing to vote on Election Day in recent years. At his rally, he urged supporters to contact friends and family to ensure they participate. He told the crowd, “Florida didn't happen by accident. It happened because of consistent policy from consistent leadership. I represent that leadership going into Florida's future.”

Jolly focused his message on building a coalition that extends beyond traditional Democratic voters. He is reaching out to independents and Republicans who may be dissatisfied with the current direction of the state or their party. At the Haines City rally, he said he wants to give voters looking for a new political home a reason to support him. He noted, “Thus far, I think we're seeing a lot of Democrats show up, but I'm also encouraged by what I think is going to be the crossover vote among independents and Republicans. I feel very good about where we are.”

Jolly's campaign emphasizes housing, health care, and education. He has also voiced opposition to large data center projects. He argued that the election outcome will depend on which voters turn out. Both campaigns agree that turnout, or the lack of it, will play a decisive role in races across Florida.