Posted on October 7, 2026
By Bilyana Garland
Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds came to the Guana Reserve Monday to outline an environmental platform focused on restoring Florida’s waterways while preparing for continued growth.
Donalds said water quality should be a bipartisan issue and announced a statewide restoration grant program modeled after the Everglades restoration effort. He said the plan would target nutrient pollution in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Johns River, protect freshwater springs and restore seagrass and coastal habitats.
“Water is not a partisan matter,” Donalds said. “It is about the future of our state.”
Donalds also called for a state water supply task force and more investment in wastewater infrastructure, including moving properties from failing septic systems to central sewer systems. He said Florida must plan for growth while protecting drinking water and other natural resources.
During his visit, Donalds was asked about two fish kills at Guana Preserve in September. He said the state should improve coordination among existing agencies and research organizations to identify problems earlier and protect marine habitats.
Democratic candidate David Jolly is also making water quality and environmental protection a major part of his campaign. He has called for increased state funding to monitor water quality and help local governments convert septic systems to sewer.
Jolly said his environmental platform would focus on pollution prevention, science and protecting both inland waterways and Florida’s coastal economy.
“We have an environmental economy in Florida,” Jolly said. “The environment and the economy go hand in hand.”
Donalds said he believes the existing environmental agencies should work to create more cohesion to protect the waterways, but does not want to create new bureaucratic agencies.
Data Centers
The candidates also differ on the role of government in addressing emerging environmental concerns. Donalds has emphasized cooperation among state, local and federal agencies and said local governments should decide whether data centers come to their communities, while the state protects water supplies and utility costs.
Jolly has called for a statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, citing concerns about their environmental and public health impacts. He said the state should take the lead on the issue while also respecting local control in other areas.
