Democratic Nominees Campaign at Florida A&M Homecoming
David Jolly and Gwen Graham connected with voters at a homecoming event in Tallahassee.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Elections
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Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly and his running mate Gwen Graham held a campaign event at the Will Packer Amphitheater on the Florida A&M University campus. They were joined by U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon to engage with voters during homecoming celebrations.
Why it matters
The candidates visited the university to ensure minority voters' voices are represented as the general election approaches. This grassroots outreach aims to build momentum by connecting directly with the student body and alumni during homecoming festivities.
Byron Donalds launched a statewide bus tour with 21 scheduled stops across Florida between Friday and Nov. 2. The effort follows a kickoff event in Sarasota held on Thursday.
The players
David Jolly
He is the Democratic gubernatorial nominee currently campaigning across the state.
Gwen Graham
She is the running mate for David Jolly and is campaigning alongside him.
Angie Nixon
She is a U.S. Senate candidate who joined the Democratic campaign event.
Byron Donalds
He is a politician currently conducting a statewide bus tour with multiple stops.
Keisha Lance Bottoms
She is a political figure who canceled her scheduled appearance due to scheduling issues.
The details
Democratic candidates addressed hundreds of supporters at the Will Packer Amphitheater to discuss their platform. Although Keisha Lance Bottoms was originally scheduled to join the group on Friday, she canceled the appearance due to scheduling issues.
Timeline
Thursday: Byron Donalds kicked off his statewide bus tour in Sarasota.
Friday: Keisha Lance Bottoms was scheduled to join David Jolly.
Friday to Nov. 2: Byron Donalds will make 21 campaign stops across Florida.
Political Context
Republican opposition often critiques these traditional Democratic outreach strategies at HBCUs as superficial efforts that fail to address substantive policy concerns. Critics frequently argue that these appearances prioritize optics over the long-term legislative needs of the local community.
This campaign activity signals a push for voter mobilization that could influence local turnout numbers in the upcoming general election. Residents in Tallahassee may notice increased political visibility as candidates continue to target university areas to secure support.
The takeaway
Voter outreach events on college campuses remain a critical strategy for candidates looking to engage younger demographics before election day. Voters should research specific policy platforms to understand how candidate promises will translate into tangible governance.
What happens next
Byron Donalds is scheduled to complete 21 campaign stops across Florida between Friday and Nov. 2.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of local races, visit Elections.
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Do you believe political candidates are doing enough to represent minority voters' interests in your area?
