Donalds Ducks Debate Dare, Fishback Ready Anytime: College Republicans Challenge GOP Governor Hopefuls—Silence Reigns

Another day, another Republican frontrunner playing hide-and-seek with voters who deserve straight answers.

In the cutthroat race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump-endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds faces growing scrutiny for apparently dodging an early primary debate invitation from young conservatives hungry for real talk.

The University of Florida College Republicans, joined by nine other student groups across the state, issued an open letter calling on all Republican Florida gubernatorial candidates to participate in an early 2026 debate at the University of Florida, the state's flagship institution.

The letter highlights a high-production event featuring hundreds in attendance, a well-known Reagan administration member as moderator, professional live-streaming akin to a presidential debate, and dates reserved in the Grand Ballroom: Jan. 26, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18.

"We the University of Florida Republicans along with nine other student groups in our state are currently calling on the Republican Florida gubernatorial candidates to participate in an early 2026 debate at the University of Florida, Florida's flagship university," the letter states.

"The debate will have hundreds in attendance, a well-known member of the Reagan administration as moderator, and will be produced and live-streamed like a presidential debate."

Leading contenders include Donalds, a Naples-based congressman and staunch Trump ally who dominates polls and fundraising with the president's endorsement; former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, a DeSantis-aligned conservative who championed bold reforms on immigration and education; and James Fishback, a 30-year-old hedge fund CEO and political newcomer pushing hardline stances on affordability, immigration moratoriums, and abortion bans.

Enough with the dodging—these power players owe Floridians a prime-time showdown.

Student Republicans dangle a glitzy stage packed with crowds, pro production, and Reagan-era gravitas that could rocket any participant straight into governor-mode optics.

The letter continues:

The quality of footage, the professional photographs, and the high-profile nature of the event will create the appearance that you are already the governor.”

Florida's gubernatorial election is the most important election of 2026 and as such, this debate is an opportunity to address the state as you deserve with proper media attention and a crowd.

We have reserved the Grand Ballroom on campus for the following dates in January and February: January 26, February 11 and February 18th.

Please reach out via direct message on X to @UFCR or through email to ufcrevents@gmail.com to coordinate which debate will take place and if you will be attending. We look forward to a spirited and early debate after which Florida voters can make an informed decision.

The letter appeared in a Dec. 31, 2025, post University of Florida College Republicans.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, no public responses have emerged from Donalds, Renner, or others in the Aug. 18, 2026, primary field—except for Fishback.

In a Dec. 30, 2025, video from a Texas Roadhouse booth, Fishback declared his readiness to debate anytime, anywhere," slicing into a steak as he challenged Donalds.

"It’s been 49 days since Byron Donalds turned down Newsmax’s debate invite between him and me," Fishback said. "Either @ByronDonalds debates me next month, or he’s forever the entitled DEI thug who doesn’t want to earn the job."

Time for these candidates to step up or step aside—Florida's future isn't a game of chicken.

Young Republicans demand debates, not disappearances, and voters should settle for nothing less than full-throated defenses of their visions in the open arena.

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