Gubernatorial Republican candidate Bryan Donalds spoke to approximately 100 supporters Friday in Lakeland urging them to help get out the vote in Tuesday's primary. Donalds, a three-term Congressman who is endorsed by President Trump, is leading in most of the polls against Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, investment firm CEO James Fishback and former Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner.
“The mission is Florida's next governor is to make sure that the people of our state can continue to build their jobs,” Donalds said. “The people who have chosen to retire to Florida for their golden years, we want them to continue to be able to enjoy our state, live in our state.”
Donalds noted that affordability is a major part of his platform. He is focusing insurance and health care to lower costs for Floridians. The Congressman, who resided in Naples noted his homeowner’s insurance has been canceled three times in the last two years. The Florida State alum has a finance degree, and worked as a credit analysist after graduation. He said he understands how to lower costs.
“We want to make sure insurance companies and going to be with you in the storm,” Donalds said. “We're also going to reform the regulatory side of our insurance markets that we can here in Florida.
“We're going to be about the business of making sure that your insurance costs are down. We're going to make sure we're engaging these insurance companies that actually rate the risk of Florida. Taxes and insurance were never meant to be more than principal and interest.”
Additionally, he wants to cut the red tape for all building in the state; especially after a hurricane.
“If you're just rebuilding your home, your permits are automatic,” Donalds remarked to applause. “Why are you waiting for a permit from government to just do repairs on the home that the government already permitted you to build? Again, common sense.”
His health care plan will require hospitals and doctors’ office to post the real cash price of their top 20 services. This will create transparency and competition that will lower rates. He said patients should know prices ahead of entering clinics and offices.
He had a balanced take on the current data center controversy. He agrees that data center should not be in neighborhoods or conservation areas or raise the energy or water rates of local constituents. However, he noted we do need to find places in Florida for data centers as they are crucial to our future technology due to advanced AI.
He ended the rally with an attack on expected Democrat nominee David Jolly for supporting trans girls playing boys sports, minors having transgender surgery, and the embattled former COVID-19 lead doctor Anthony Faucci during the 2020 pandemic.
