Matt Stertz

Software developer, priest and Back to the Future historian. #DeSantis2024 #StillWithDeSantis

[Dr. Maria Peiro 🇺🇸 🐊 @MariaPeiro305]

🚨 🚨 In Florida, For decades, dating back to 1990, televised gubernatorial candidate debates have taken place in every Republican primary without a GOP incumbent, unless that incumbent was serving his last term as is the case with governor DeSantis or the incumbent wasn't going to run for reelection.

1990 GOP incumbent. No debate.

1994 DEM incumbent. All 5 GOP candidates who qualified to be on the ballot debated (no onerous FLGOP rules).

1998 DEM incumbent. No debate because there was only one GOP candidate running unopposed.

2002 GOP incumbent. No debate.

2006 GOP incumbent but he was serving his last term. Yes, there was a primary debate (no onerous FLGOP rules).

2010 GOP incumbent but he wasn't running for reelection. Yes, there was a primary debate (no onerous FLGOP rules).

2014 GOP incumbent. No debate.

2018 GOP incumbent but he was serving his last term. Yes, there was a primary debate (no onerous FLGOP rules).

2022 GOP incumbent. No debate.

From 1990 until now, debates for the primary were not party-run. Those debates were held by other non-party entities. The criteria governing who was allowed to participate in those debates was not created by the Republican party. Instead, those independent entities created the qualifying criteria.

Fast-forward to 2026, we have a Republican governor, @RonDeSantis who is termed-out.

The following is a timeline showing just how the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) has created new rules and qualifying criteria to engineer an outcome. 👇 👇

January 7, 2026- The RPOF website announced that debates would take place and that the qualifying criteria for RPOF sanctioned debates and forums would be released in the coming weeks. Nothing was released for five months.

June 10, 2026- The RPOF released strict criteria to qualify for sanctioned gubernatorial debates and announced only Byron Donalds met their criteria.

June 12, 2026- The RPOF put out a press release stating that participating in a debate unsanctioned by the RPOF is against party rules. The consequence for breaking that rule is being excluded from all RPOF official gubernatorial activities and forums.

[Bridget in FL🌴 @BridgetKaneFL]

WE NEED A GOP GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE!!!

@EvanPower @FloridaGOP ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

SCHEDULE THE DEBATE!!!

[The Critical Drinker @TheCriticalDri2]

Shit. Get well soon, sir!

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

We want debates

[Evan Power @EvanPower]

This app has got really ugly here are the facts about the Gov race. Congressman Donalds, Lt Governor Collins, and Speaker Renner would make great Governors

Jolly and Graham sound moderate, but would govern just like Spanberger in VA, radically left

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

The worst Rep I’ve ever had.

[The Floridian @Floridianpress]

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced that she will be introducing a House resolution aimed at voiding President Donald Trump’s impeachment during his first term in office.

@realannapaulina @RepLuna

https://t.co/Nc34yrhxrT

[Genius Parks @Genius_Parks]

Look here, 2018 FL Gubernatorial Polls in June 2018. Surprisingly the number of Undecideds is almost the same as your seeing now. Putnam was +15. But after the debate the undecideds broke heavily for @RonDeSantis.

Reason #1,305,352,407,813,954 there should be a debate

[South Florida Trophy Wife™ 🦈🌴🦩🍹🦎 @Pickledfins]

THE RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA want a debate among all candidates- WERE IT NOT FOR THE DESANTIS VS PUTNAM DEBATE , DESANTIS WOULD NOT HAVE GONE ON TO WIN THE GOVERNORSHIP AND LEAD NOT ONLY THE STATE BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. What the @FloridaGOP and @EvanPower are doing is as corrupt as it gets. MAKE YOUR VOICES AND OPINIONS HEARD

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

@karol @ErikaDonalds Did you ask about their ripping off taxpayers with their charter schools?

[Dr. Maria Peiro 🇺🇸 🐊 @MariaPeiro305]

🚨 🚨 ATTENTION FLORIDA REGISTERED GOP VOTERS 🚨 🚨

Contact the Florida GOP at this number [phone] or via Email 🚨 🚨 ATTENTION FLORIDA REGISTERED GOP VOTERS 🚨 🚨

Contact the Florida GOP at this number [phone] or via Email at [email protected]

Demand a Primary Debate between all candidates that have qualified to run for governor!

[Dr. Maria Peiro 🇺🇸 🐊 @MariaPeiro305]

This is an asinine decision. This is a great way for the Florida GOP to lose a lot of Republican votes in the general election. All it does is cause division, and it sours the base. Even if Byron Donalds were to become governor, it would be difficult for him to govern, if half the Republican base feels cheated and betrayed. I don't care what the polls say or how much money Byron Donalds has raised, Republican voters have a right to see a real debate between all candidates who qualified. Replacing an excellent governor like DeSantis who has turned Florida into a beacon of conservatism shouldn't be taken lightly. A robust primary to choose the best option to replace DeSantis is absolutely necessary. If Donalds is so great, then there shouldn't be a problem with having a real primary debate.

If you are a registered Republican in Florida, contact the Republican Party of Florida and demand a debate with all the candidates that have qualified.

FLGOP Phone Number: [phone]

Contact Form - FLGOP https://t.co/XcNPW2IWFZ

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

Qualified? Running away from your district during a hurricane is disqualifying. Taking money from big marijuana is disqualifying.

[Ryan Smith @RyanSmithFL]

Trump-endorsed @ByronDonalds is qualified and ready to lead Florida Republicans to victory against the Radical Democrats and their high-tax liberal agenda this November!

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

He’s so tiresome

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

WOW -- Trump crashes out and cuts his interview with Welker short as she presses him on his lack of evidence for claiming elections are rigged

"You're either crooked or you're stupid. Let's call it quits. Because I've had enough. Thank you darling," he tells her."

"I traveled all the way to Wisconsin for this interview," she pleads.

[Frank from Florida @RealFrankFromFL]

Dear RPOF Leadership,

As a concerned Florida Republican and voter who values strong, transparent leadership, I respectfully urge the Party to organize and host a formal debate among the top candidates for Governor in the 2026 primary.

Florida Republicans deserve the opportunity to hear directly from frontrunners like Congressman Byron Donalds, Lt. Governor Jay Collins, former House Speaker Paul Renner, and other qualified contenders such as James Fishback and Bobby Williams.

A civil, substantive debate would allow these leaders to share their visions for continuing our state’s success on issues like economic growth, education, public safety, and affordability—while giving voters the information needed to make an informed choice.

Debates strengthen our Party by showcasing unity through healthy competition, building voter enthusiasm, and demonstrating confidence in our ideas. With the primary just months away, now is the ideal time to facilitate this important forum.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to Florida’s future. I look forward to your positive response.
Sincerely,

Republican Voters

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

Sad we have a president that doesn’t understand inflation

[Breaking911 @Breaking911]

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "If you take away just the price of gasoline, the energy, we have very little inflation. We're doing very well other than this... that’s a big factor... and that'll start coming down very rapidly soon as this ends."

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

Um thanks to the American taxpayer

[Breaking911 @Breaking911]

Columbus Circle at Union Station has been fully restored thanks to President Trump.

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

Are you supporting Governor DeSantis’ property tax relief? I’m asking as one of your constituents.

[Rep. Adam Anderson @AdamAndersonFL]

Florida’s coaches dramatically improve the lives of our students, both on and off the field, and the values they instill in the next generation of leaders shape the future of our communities. Florida law now recognizes their incredible contributions with more opportunities for coaches’ compensation. Happy to get this over the finish line with a great team Rep. @ShaneAbbottFL & Sen. @csime90 for a BIG WIN!

@PayFLCoaches

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

@galexy70 This admin is so stupid

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

56 states?

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

The NHL’s playoff seeding is stupid

[DraftKings @DraftKings]

Golden Knights regular-season record: 39-26-17

Teams with more wins that missed the playoffs:
❌ Capitals - 43 wins
❌ Islanders - 43 wins
❌ Devils - 42 wins
❌ Red Wings - 41 wins
❌ Panthers - 40 wins
❌ Blue Jackets - 40 wins

Now Vegas is in the Stanley Cup Final 🤯

[Matt Stertz @phattmatt]

We are doomed

[Florida’s Voice @FLVoiceNews]

‘PINELLAS BACKS DONALDS’: More than 25 Pinellas County elected officials endorse U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for governor

"Byron will keep Florida free, protect our pocketbooks, and deliver for Pinellas County and all of Florida.”

https://t.co/PqjQxVxGMM