Senator Bryan Avila, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Speaks to the Tiger Bay Club
Senator Bryan Ávila, Candidate for Florida Lieutenant Governor, speaks at the Tiger Bay Club 09-18-26. © Chip Weiner
A packed house and a frustrating afternoon marked Friday’s Tampa Tiger Bay Club gathering at the Cuban Club in Ybor City.
Club members, current and aspiring politicians, and members of the public wanted to hear from Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds. But, Donalds dropped out of the event. Instead, Donalds’ running mate, Senator Bryan Ávila, took the podium.
The change had already generated some controversy. Tiger Bay Club officials said Donalds had initially been expected to participate in an event with Democratic nominee David Jolly, then separately, before the campaign offered Ávila in his place. A source close to the Donalds campaign disputed that account, saying Donalds’ appearance had never been confirmed. Ávila was subsequently scheduled for Sept. 18, with Jolly scheduled to appear Sept. 25.
Tiger Bay has a reputation for tough questions, and Ávila came prepared to face them. But on this day, the answers—or lack of them—became as much a part of the event as the questions themselves.
When asked how Donalds’ political views align with those of President Donald Trump, Ávila simply responded that the ticket would remain conservative. The answer did not satisfy some in the room, and audience members called out, “Answer the question.”
The subject came up again when La Gaceta writer Gene Siudut pressed Ávila on Donalds’ relationship with Trump. Rather than directly addressing the comparison, Ávila shifted the discussion to interest rates and economic issues.
Questions about artificial intelligence, surveillance, and the growing use of Flock cameras by law enforcement prompted a similar response. Asked about concerns over a potential “police state” and government access to surveillance technology, Ávila focused on how police departments could better secure the technology rather than directly addressing the broader question of government overreach.
It was a full house t the Cuban Club or the Tiger Bay Club meeting. 09-18-26. © Chip Weiner
La Gaceta writer Gene Siudut presses Ávila on the party's alignment with Donald Trump. © Chip Weiner
Political hopefuls for the upcoming November 2026 election introduce themselves. © Chip Weiner
The pattern continued as questions turned to teacher pay, property taxes, housing costs, AI and other issues facing Florida.
At several points, Ávila said the Donalds’ administration would examine an issue after taking office rather than outlining a specific policy response.
One of the more revealing exchanges came when Ávila was asked how he envisioned his role as lieutenant governor. He joked about sometimes arguing with his wife, then acknowledged that he and Donalds had not yet had a detailed discussion about what his role would be in a Donalds administration because the two had been so busy campaigning.
For me, that was one of the afternoon’s more striking moments. With the general election approaching, I expected to hear more about how the two candidates envision governing together and what responsibilities Ávila would assume if elected.
Instead, much of the afternoon left me with more questions than answers.
Some political question-dodging is hardly unexpected at a campaign event. But Tiger Bay is different. Its tradition is built around members asking direct—and often uncomfortable—questions of the people seeking public office.
On Friday, the audience repeatedly tried to hold Ávila to that tradition.
Next Friday, Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly will take the Tiger Bay hot seat.