The televised governor’s debate scheduled for next week on Florida A&M’s campus is officially off. FAMU announced Thursday it canceled the one-hour event, which was set to stream free on Spectrum News digital platforms, after Democratic candidate David Jolly declined to participate in general election debates against Republican candidate Byron Donalds. Jolly cited the current campaign environment and what he described as “bad faith.”
In a statement, FAMU said it was disappointed students would not have the chance to hear from the candidates in a televised debate on their own campus. The university’s Student Government Association plans to step in, inviting both candidates to engage with students before the general election. FAMU said each candidate will get an equal opportunity to share their platform, priorities, and vision for the state.
The cancellation means Suncoast voters lose one of the few remaining chances to see both candidates for governor answer the same questions in the same hour. For students, it’s a different kind of loss: a front-row seat to statewide politics that won’t happen as planned. With the general election approaching, the question now is whether both campaigns take up the SGA’s invitation.
Do you think skipping debates should cost a candidate with voters? Sound off in the comments below.
