Florida Candidates Make Final Appeals Before Election Day
Florida voters will choose a governor and a U.S. senator on November 3, with campaigns making their final appeals after early voting closed on November 1. More than 5 million Floridians had already voted, a record compared with the 2022 election, according to state election figures.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly held events in Coral Gables and Sarasota. He emphasized housing costs, health care, public education and infrastructure, and said the outcome would depend on turnout. Jolly was also expected to campaign in Broward County on November 2.
Republican candidate Byron Donalds rallied supporters in Tampa and Clay County. He stressed low taxes, property rights, personal freedom and safer streets, while also calling for lower insurance costs and more affordable housing. Donalds was scheduled to appear in Lee County on November 2.
The Senate contest features Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon. Nixon held a get-out-the-vote event in Miami-Dade County and planned to campaign in Broward County; Moody joined President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Daytona Beach.
Miami voters will also decide Referendum 3, concerning a potential extended lease for marina construction on Virginia Key. Opponents warn the project could harm seagrass, mangroves and other habitats. Voting locations are open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on November 3. Voters must use their assigned precinct, and Miami-Dade has changed 13 polling locations affecting 19 precincts. A valid identification document bearing the voter’s signature is required.
Florida’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Takes Center Stage in Final Campaign Push
Florida’s final campaign hours put the strain of everyday costs and access to public services at the heart of the governor’s race. Democrat David Jolly argued that housing and health care costs, alongside pressure on public education, are making it harder for people to live in the communities where they work.
Jolly campaigned in Coral Gables and Sarasota on November 1, promoting plans involving affordable housing, health care, schools and infrastructure. He said turnout would decide the contest and was expected to make another appearance in Broward County on November 2.
Republican Byron Donalds also called for more affordable housing, while promising low taxes and limited government. His message puts those priorities forward as the answer, while Jolly’s campaign has focused on the economic pressures facing households and public services. Donalds held events in Tampa and Clay County and was scheduled to campaign in Lee County on November 2.
More than 5 million Floridians had voted before Election Day, a record compared with 2022. The Senate race pits Democrat Angie Nixon against Republican incumbent Ashley Moody. Miami voters will also decide whether to approve a long-term marina lease on Virginia Key; opponents say development could damage seagrass, mangroves and other habitats.
Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 3. Voters must go to their assigned precinct, and Miami-Dade has moved 13 polling places affecting 19 precincts. A valid signed identification document is required.
Donalds Puts Taxes, Property Rights and Freedom at the Center
Republican Byron Donalds is making the case that Florida should remain a low-tax state with limited government, personal freedom and protections for property owners. Those themes framed his closing appearances as voters prepare to choose the state’s next governor on November 3.
Donalds rallied in Tampa and Clay County on November 1. He also called for lower insurance costs and more affordable housing, and was expected to campaign in Lee County on November 2. His opponent, Democrat David Jolly, has put housing and health care costs, public education and infrastructure at the center of his pitch.
Jolly’s focus on expanded public priorities contrasts with Donalds’ emphasis on keeping taxes low and preserving the freedoms and opportunities he says draw people to Florida. The choice comes as more than 5 million Floridians have already voted, a record compared with 2022.
The ballot also includes the U.S. Senate contest between Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon. Miami voters will decide whether to grant an extended lease for marina construction on Virginia Key. Opponents say the project could damage seagrass, mangroves and other habitats.
On November 3, voting locations are open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Voters must cast ballots at their assigned precinct; Miami-Dade has changed 13 polling locations affecting 19 precincts. Voters need valid identification bearing their signature.
Reported by WSVN 7News, Local 10 Miami, CBS Miami.
