Byron Donalds’ bus tour campaign stops in Bartow
On Thursday, Oct. 22, the City of Bartow played host to Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor. It was part of his “Defending the Florida Dream Bus Tour.”
Before an enthusiastic crowd of supporters and local dignitaries, such as Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Bartow Vice Mayor Laura Simpson, and Kate Wallace, who is running for election to the Polk County School Board, Donalds was warmly received.
The appearance in Bartow at the Polk County History Center (the former Polk County Courthouse) was one of 50 scheduled stops in 38 counties in the final weeks of the campaign, according to WLRN. A map on the byrondonalds.com website showed the tour ending Nov. 2, the day before Election Day.
According to The Tampa Free Press (tampafp.com), the tour began Monday, Oct. 19, at Fred’s Market Restaurant in Plant City. This was followed by stops at Sawgrass Grove in The Villages and Angie’s Subs in Jacksonville Beach.
Then, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the tour traveled to Grills Riverside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar in Melbourne, the Eastman Workforce Center in Fort Pierce, and La Carreta in Miami.
Stops on Wednesday, Oct. 21, were at Islas Canarias Restaurant in Miami, the Floridian in Fort Lauderdale, Common Grounds Coffee Shop in Clewiston, and Slim’s Bar-B-Q in Arcadia.
A disclaimer on the Polk GOP website informed that the event was hosted by Byron Donalds for Governor, and not the Polk County Republican Executive Committee. It further stated the event was being publicized in order to let people know, in case they wished to attend.
Disclaimer: The Citrus Tea News is not here to tell you how to vote. We bring you the information so you can make your own informed decisions.
Steve Steiner can be reached at [email protected].
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Byron Donalds visit Bartow?
Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds stopped in Bartow on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at the Polk County History Center, the former Polk County Courthouse.
What is the Defending the Florida Dream Bus Tour?
It is the Donalds campaign’s statewide bus tour in the final weeks before the Nov. 3 general election. WLRN reported it plans 50 stops in 38 counties.
Who hosted the Bartow event?
The event was hosted by Byron Donalds for Governor, not the Polk County Republican Executive Committee.
When is Election Day in Florida?
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Sources: Byron Donalds for Governor, Defending the Florida Dream Bus Tour: Polk County event listing, Oct. 22, 2026, eventbrite.com; WLRN, Byron Donalds gubernatorial campaign launches statewide bus tour timed with early voting, Oct. 19, 2026, wlrn.org; The Tampa Free Press, tampafp.com; Polk County Republican Executive Committee website, polkgop.com; Polk County Government, Polk County History Center page, polkfl.gov; byrondonalds.com; idioms.thefreedictionary.com; Bartow campaign stop, Oct. 22, 2026, attended by Steve Steiner
