News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: Jessica_Rose on August 18, 2026, 10:38:26 AM Return to Full Version
Title: FL GOP candidate is making trans rights the main focus of his campaign
Post by: Jessica_Rose on August 18, 2026, 10:38:26 AM
Post by: Jessica_Rose on August 18, 2026, 10:38:26 AM
GOP candidate to replace Ron DeSantis is making trans rights the main focus of his campaign
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/08/gop-candidate-to-replace-ron-desantis-is-making-trans-rights-the-main-focus-of-his-campaign/
Alex Bollinger (18 Aug 2026)
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), the frontrunner in the race to become Florida's next governor, attacked the Democratic frontrunner repeatedly for his support of some trans rights.
Arguing that Democratic frontrunner and former Rep. David Jolly isn't "a cultural fit for our state," Donalds said on a recent podcast, "David Jolly is somebody who believes it's still okay for boys to play in girls' sports. He thinks it's okay to allow for gender reassignment surgery for minors. I mean, that's, that's crazy. Transgendering the kids? Nobody believes that, nobody with common sense."
While Florida is holding its primary election today, Donalds is by far the favorite to win the GOP nod. He was endorsed by the president earlier this year, and polling shows that he has nearly 50% support in a crowded field.
Donalds has a long history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights, getting a three and then a zero out of 100 on HRC's Congressional Scorecard for the past two sessions of Congress, going so far as to vote against marriage equality in 2022.
Now, Donalds is running for governor as the current Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, is term-limited. And he's following DeSantis' path by making LGBTQ+ issues central to his platform to attract right-wing support.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/08/gop-candidate-to-replace-ron-desantis-is-making-trans-rights-the-main-focus-of-his-campaign/
Alex Bollinger (18 Aug 2026)
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), the frontrunner in the race to become Florida's next governor, attacked the Democratic frontrunner repeatedly for his support of some trans rights.
Arguing that Democratic frontrunner and former Rep. David Jolly isn't "a cultural fit for our state," Donalds said on a recent podcast, "David Jolly is somebody who believes it's still okay for boys to play in girls' sports. He thinks it's okay to allow for gender reassignment surgery for minors. I mean, that's, that's crazy. Transgendering the kids? Nobody believes that, nobody with common sense."
While Florida is holding its primary election today, Donalds is by far the favorite to win the GOP nod. He was endorsed by the president earlier this year, and polling shows that he has nearly 50% support in a crowded field.
Donalds has a long history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights, getting a three and then a zero out of 100 on HRC's Congressional Scorecard for the past two sessions of Congress, going so far as to vote against marriage equality in 2022.
Now, Donalds is running for governor as the current Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, is term-limited. And he's following DeSantis' path by making LGBTQ+ issues central to his platform to attract right-wing support.