Republican Representative Byron Donalds has significantly scaled back references to former President Donald Trump on his Florida gubernatorial campaign website. Previously, his site prominently featured Trump's endorsement during the primaries.
According to a report by the Miami Herald, the website update involved removing eight mentions of Trump's support, a photograph of Donalds and his wife with Trump, and a section titled "Implement Trump's Agenda."
While the presidential endorsement hasn't been completely erased, it has been relocated to a secondary page that lists endorsements from various conservative leaders and organizations.
Refocusing the Campaign Message
Donalds' campaign maintains that the website overhaul is not a sign of distancing from Trump but rather a strategic shift to emphasize voter concerns in Florida.
"The website now reflects Byron's focus on issues that matter most to Floridians: affordability, insurance costs, and government transparency," stated his spokesperson, Gates McGavick.
This modification is noteworthy given Trump's prominence in Donalds' quest for the Republican nomination. In May, Trump had expressed his "complete and total" support for Donalds on Truth Social, calling him a "TOTAL WINNER." Donalds had responded by expressing his honor at receiving Trump's backing.
A Tight Race in Florida
Donalds emerged victorious in the August Republican primaries, securing nearly 48% of the vote. He now faces former Congressman David Jolly, the Democratic contender, in the November 3 elections.
The website changes coincide with a more competitive race, as some analyses and polls suggest. Sabato's Crystal Ball, an electoral analysis site, adjusted its rating of the race from "likely Republican" to "leans Republican" on Tuesday.
A poll by St. Pete Polls showed Donalds at 43.5% and Jolly at 43.4%, while a Change Research survey indicated 47% support for Jolly and 44% for Donalds. These figures are snapshots of specific moments in the campaign and are subject to each poll's margin of error and methodology.
Donalds is not alone in reducing Trump references. The Washington Post found that at least seven Republican candidates in competitive House districts have minimized or removed Trump mentions from their campaign sites.
This shift also aligns with declining national approval ratings for Trump. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated his approval at 32% among American adults, dropping from 82% to 73% among Republicans.
Challenges Ahead
As the campaign enters its final phase, there will be no debate between the leading candidates. Jolly rejected a debate with Donalds this week, citing "repeated lies" and "bad faith" from the Republican campaign.
The gubernatorial seat is open because Ron DeSantis cannot run for another consecutive term. Republicans have held the position since 1999.
If he wins the November 3 election, Donalds would become Florida's first African American governor.
Key Questions About Florida's Gubernatorial Race
Why did Byron Donalds remove Trump references from his campaign website?
Donalds' campaign states that the website changes are to focus on issues important to Floridians, such as affordability, insurance costs, and government transparency, rather than a shift away from Trump.
How competitive is the Florida gubernatorial race between Donalds and Jolly?
The race is considered competitive, with polls showing a close margin between Donalds and Jolly. Analysis from Sabato's Crystal Ball has adjusted the race's rating to "leans Republican."
What impact does Trump's national approval rating have on this race?
Trump's declining national approval ratings may influence candidates like Donalds to reduce their association with him, as seen in the website update, to appeal to a broader voter base.