From a black FB friend “Let me make this shit perfectly clear. I know Florida has never elected a Black governor, and yes, the election of Byron Donalds would be historic. As a Black Floridian, I understand the significance of seeing someone who looks like me occupy the Governor’s Mansion. But history alone will NOT get my vote. This isn’t about Byron Donalds being Black, and it isn’t simply because he’s a Republican. It’s no secret that I’m a moderate Democrat, and have crossed party lines before when I believed the Republican candidate was the better person to lead the great state of Florida. But, child please! It will be a cold day in hell before I cast my vote for Byron Donalds, and here’s why. Representation means absolutely nothing to me if the person representing us lacks the integrity, independence, courage, and conviction to stand up when it matters! Time and time again Byron has demonstrated he’s no independent critical thinker. Black sisters and brothaz, Byron Donalds is no Barack Obama. He is no General Colin Powell. And I refuse to become so mesmerized by the possibility of Florida electing its first Black governor that I ignore the man’s record, his alliances, his rhetoric, and what I believe his leadership would mean for Florida. I am TIRED of symbolism being offered as a substitute for substance. After years of watching DeSantis policies coming out of Tallahassee that I firmly believe have chipped away at civil rights protections, attacked diversity initiatives, and diminished how Black history is taught and discussed, I cannot vote for someone simply because his skin looks like mine. Black skin does not automatically equal Black consciousness. And finally from everything I have seen, Byron Donalds has demonstrated far too much loyalty to Donald Trump and the MAGA political machine for me to believe he represents the kind of independent leadership Florida desperately needs. So yes, David Jolly is a white man. I am not voting for a complexion. I am voting for leadership. I am voting for policies. I am voting for character. I am voting based on who I believe will respect the history and civil rights of ALL Floridians rather than continue tearing away at them. My vote come November 2026, will be for David Jolly (FULL STOP)! Florida deserves better than another four years of division, political bullshit, and culture wars. I love this state far too much to vote based on skin color. In the words of Dr. MLK, judge David Jolly “by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin”! Florida, the choice is clear, VOTE BLUE!!! And I said, what I said!💪🏾🇺🇸🪖🏳️‍🌈 -MsD 👠👠” @davidjollyfl @laurajollyfl