The campaign for Republican Byron Donalds issued a statement sharply criticizing opponent David Jolly, characterizing the former congressman as a “Trojan Horse” aligned with Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) policies.
In the release, Donalds’ team described Jolly as a “pretty far-left” Democrat who wants to “apologize for Florida.”
The campaign argued that while Jolly claims to reject socialism, his platform and political associations suggest otherwise, pointing to remarks from 2025 where Jolly was allegedly recorded discussing shared values with young socialists in the state.
The press statement outlined several specific policy disputes, asserting that Jolly’s platform aligns closely with DSA positions on cultural and economic issues.
According to the release, these include Jolly’s stances on gender-affirming surgeries for minors, transgender participation in girls’ sports, and the inclusion of Critical Race Theory in school curricula.
The campaign also criticized Jolly’s positions on firearms, alleging he aims to “crush gun culture” and weaken Second Amendment protections. On education and fiscal policy, the release claimed Jolly opposes school choice programs as well as various tax relief measures, such as exemptions for tipped wages, overtime pay, and child tax credits.
Additionally, the campaign targeted Jolly’s running mate, Angela Nixon, describing her as a prominent DSA leader and arguing that the ticket’s economic proposals would increase living costs for Florida residents.
Neither Jolly nor Nixon has publicly responded to the specific claims outlined in the release.
READ: Florida Appeals Court Rejects Inmate’s Bid To Overturn Life Sentence For Armed Sexual Battery
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
