DeSantis condemns Florida GOP for cancelling primary debate

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the leadership of his own state’s Republican Party Friday, accusing it of attempting to “engineer an outcome” by cancelling a gubernatorial primary debate and undermining voter confidence. The controversy centers on the party’s decision to call off a planned debate at its June 27 Sunshine State Showdown after determining only U.S. Representative Byron Donalds met newly released qualification thresholds.

The Republican Party of Florida announced that candidates needed at least 10 percent support in a reputable poll, more than $10 million raised, and over 10,000 donors to participate. Party executive director Bill Helmich stated the criteria were “reasonable and accessible” for a large, diverse state. Only Donalds, the race’s frontrunner who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, qualified under these rules.

Speaking at a press conference in West Palm Beach, Governor DeSantis strongly condemned the process. “I’ve heard secondhand what the criteria was. I wouldn’t have qualified when I ran in 2018 for what they were trying to do,” DeSantis said. He argued that setting such thresholds so early, with candidate qualifying having just...