Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is at odds with the Republican Party of Florida over the lack of a gubernatorial debate. The state party says only U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, has met the qualifications for a debate.

DeSantis Disagrees with Decision

DeSantis disagrees with the decision, saying it’s counterproductive to engineer an outcome and that the party needs a coalition of voters to do well. He also accused Evan Power, the state party chair, of insulting the intelligence of Republican voters.

Aubrey Jewett, a University of Central Florida political science professor, said it’s an unusual dynamic, as governors are generally considered the de facto leader of their state parties. The qualifications for the debate include having 10% support in Republican Party of Florida polling, more than $10 million raised, and more than 10,000 donors.

Other high-profile gubernatorial candidates, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, investor James Fishback, and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, have also spoken out about the lack of a debate. Renner said, ‘What have we become? Are we not the conservative party that believes in free competition?’ Collins said debates are not the end all be all for this race, but if Donalds can’t show up to one, voters need to take notice.

Fishback showed up at an event for Donalds over the weekend, along with someone dressed as a chicken and others holding signs reading, ‘Byron, why don’t you debate Fishback?’ Remarks made by Fishback, including during that encounter with Donalds, have been criticized by some state Republicans.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.