Russo Challenges Donalds to Debate on Business Leadership and Qualifications to Manage Florida's Budget

Independent gubernatorial candidate says Florida voters deserve to compare who has actually built, managed, and grown a business before choosing who will oversee a $117 billion budget

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Non-party affiliated candidate for Florida Governor Frank Russo today challenged Republican candidate Byron Donalds to a public debate focused specifically on business experience, financial leadership and the qualifications required to manage Florida's approximately $117 billion state budget.

Russo said the question is bigger than political parties or campaign talking points. Florida is one of the largest states in the country, with a massive budget, thousands of employees and decisions that directly affect families, businesses and taxpayers. He believes voters deserve an opportunity to compare the candidates' actual records of leadership.

"Running Florida is a serious responsibility. We are talking about roughly $117 billion of the people's money," said Russo. "Before we hand someone the keys, I think Floridians have every right to ask a simple question: What have you actually run?"

Russo built Florida Insurance Specialist around a personalized approach to serving customers. At its peak, the company was bringing in between 1,200 and 1,500 new customers each month. Russo ultimately sold the company to AssuredPartners for approximately $43 million.

Russo said the experience taught him lessons that cannot be learned from sitting in a government office or reading a balance sheet alone: how to hire people, make payroll, serve customers, manage growth, make difficult decisions and remain accountable when the outcome ultimately rests with you.

"I didn't inherit a political machine. I built a business," Russo said. "I know what it's like when people are counting on you for their paycheck. I know what it's like when a customer has a problem, and you have to solve it. And I know that when you're the person in charge, you don't get to point fingers when something goes wrong. You fix it."

After AssuredPartners acquired Russo's company, elements of the personalized model he developed were incorporated into its broader commercial brokerage operation. AssuredPartners was later sold to Gallagher in a transaction valued at approximately $13 billion.

Russo contrasted that experience with Donalds' background in Congress and the financial sector, arguing that working within an organization is fundamentally different from taking the risk and responsibility of building and leading one.

"I'm not saying working in finance doesn't matter. I'm saying leadership is different when the buck stops with you," Russo said. "Have you built the team? Have you made the payroll? Have you had to look at the numbers and make the hard call? Have you created something, grown it and produced results? Those are fair questions when you're asking voters to put you in charge of one of the largest state budgets in America."

Russo is proposing a debate centered on the state budget, financial management, business creation, economic growth and executive leadership, with both candidates given an opportunity to put their records and qualifications before Florida voters.

"Let's have the conversation in public," Russo said. "No consultants speaking for us. No thirty-second commercials. Put us on the same stage, put our records side by side and let Floridians decide who they trust to manage their money."

Russo has described his economic philosophy as "caring capitalism" - supporting entrepreneurship, private enterprise and economic growth while recognizing that government and business decisions ultimately affect real people.

"I believe in capitalism because I've lived it, but I believe capitalism works best when we remember the human being on the other side of the decision," Russo said. "Humanity over dollars. That's caring capitalism. Florida can be pro-business, fiscally responsible, and "care for our neighbor" – all of us who live and work here. Those things don't have to compete with each other."

Russo said the debate would also give voters something he believes is too often missing from modern politics: a direct comparison based on experience rather than party affiliation.

"I'm not running to be the Republican governor or the Democratic governor. I'm running to be the governor of Florida and serve all the people," Russo said. "If Byron believes his experience makes him the better person to manage this state, let's talk about it. I'll bring my record. He can bring his. And we'll trust the people of Florida to make the decision."

About Frank J. Russo:

Frank J. Russo is a lifelong Floridian, entrepreneur, insurance executive, real estate developer, and humanitarian with more than 40 years of business leadership, including over 30 years in the insurance industry. Based in New Smyrna Beach, Russo is running for Governor to restore affordability, strengthen Florida's economy, and build a government focused on practical solutions that put Floridians first. For more information, or to volunteer or donate, visit Russo2026.com.

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SOURCE Frank J. Russo for Governor