The Florida Republican Party has announced the date for two congressional debates to be held later this month, generating pushback from term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Republican candidates over its refusal to host a gubernatorial debate.Florida GOP officials decided on Friday they would not host a debate before the gubernatorial primary on Aug. 18 because Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who’s running for governor, was the only candidate who met the state party’s internal qualification criteria based on polls and fundraising.DeSantis has led the charge in criticizing the Florida GOP’s decision not to host a gubernatorial debate. On Tuesday, he took aim at his party again.
“What a farce,” he said of the party’s plan to proceed with two congressional debates.
The first debate will be for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, and the second debate will feature candidates running for the state’s 25th Congressional District. Ola Hawatmeh and Madison Cawthorn are confirmed participants for the former, and the same was true of George Moraitis and Scott Singer for the latter. Other candidates in those respective GOP primary races have also been invited.
The debates will occur on June 27 during the Sunshine State Showdown event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
