Ex-GOP Rep. David Jolly Enters Florida Gov. Race as Democrat/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former GOP Rep. David Jolly is running for Florida governor in 2026 — as a Democrat. A vocal Trump critic, Jolly pledges to fight culture wars, support public schools, and restore ethics. His candidacy marks a significant political shift in a state now dominated by Republicans.
David Jolly’s Gubernatorial Run: Quick Looks
- Party Switch: Jolly, once a GOP congressman, is now a registered Democrat.
- Anti-Trump Stance: Known for vocal criticism of Trump and MAGA politics.
- Policy Focus: Public education, affordability, ethics, and campaign finance reform.
- Political Past: Lost his congressional seat to Charlie Crist in 2016.
- Tough Road Ahead: Joins Florida Democrats at a low point in voter strength.
- Rivals Ahead: Faces potential GOP opponents like Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, and Casey DeSantis.
Deep Look: David Jolly, Trump Critic and Ex-GOP Congressman, to Run for Florida Governor as a Democrat
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Republican Congressman David Jolly, who has since become a prominent Trump critic and MSNBC political analyst, officially launched his 2026 campaign for Florida governor — this time, as a Democrat.
The move represents a striking transformation for Jolly, who first entered politics as a Republican but has since shed his partisan roots to embrace what he calls the “Democratic coalition.” His bid sets up a bold challenge to the GOP stronghold in Trump’s adopted home state.
Jolly, 51, declared his candidacy Thursday, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust in state governance, fight back against culture wars, and refocus politics on everyday issues like affordable living and public education.
“I think enough people in Florida, even some Republicans, now understand that the culture wars have gone too far,” Jolly said.
From GOP Loyalist to Democratic Candidate
Jolly’s political journey has been anything but conventional. A former lobbyist and attorney, he won a 2014 special election in Florida’s Tampa Bay region before serving a single full term in Congress. But as Trump reshaped the Republican Party, Jolly broke ranks.
By 2018, he left the GOP to become an independent, and later registered as a Democrat, citing core values like fairness, government service, and compassion for immigrants as guiding principles that “no longer aligned with the Republican Party.”
He said his Democratic registration wasn’t a “pivot,” but a “formality.”
Challenging the Trump Machine in His Own Backyard
Jolly’s decision to run in Florida — the epicenter of Trumpism — is bold. As Trump’s administration continues to staff up from Florida’s GOP ranks and test controversial immigration and education policies there, Jolly is positioning himself as a centrist reformer offering an alternative to extremism.
“I think we should get politicians out of the classrooms, out of the doctor’s offices,” he said, in reference to recent Republican policies targeting schools and reproductive healthcare.
He also took direct aim at Republican messaging on immigration, condemning efforts to “conflate immigration with crime” and slamming GOP leaders for failing to tackle healthcare and economic inequality.
Florida Democrats in Disarray
Jolly’s candidacy comes at a time when Florida Democrats are reeling. The party has no statewide officeholders, and Republicans now outnumber registered Democrats by more than 1.2 million voters.
Just as Jolly joined the party, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo announced he was leaving it, declaring the state party “dead” and announcing plans to run for governor as an independent.
Jolly acknowledged the uphill climb but insisted that voters are ready for common-sense leadership that transcends partisan division.
Haunted by Charlie Crist’s Legacy?
Jolly’s campaign immediately drew comparisons to Charlie Crist, another former Republican who became a Democrat and lost the 2022 governor’s race to Ron DeSantis by 19 points.
Adding to the irony, it was Crist who unseated Jolly from Congress in 2016 — but Jolly believes this cycle will be different.
He insists that political realignment in 2026 will benefit candidates who stand for pragmatism over ideology.
“The actual registration as a Democrat wasn’t a pivot. It was a kind of a formality,” he explained, emphasizing his long-standing support for Democratic values.
Republican Firepower on the Horizon
If Jolly hopes to reclaim the governor’s mansion for Democrats, he’ll face a formidable GOP bench:
- Rep. Byron Donalds, a rising Trump loyalist, is expected to run with MAGA backing.
- Casey DeSantis, Florida’s First Lady, has emerged as a potential successor to her husband’s political dynasty.
- Rep. Matt Gaetz, another Trump confidant, has also been floated as a contender.
Each represents a continuation of Trump-era conservatism, something Jolly says Floridians are ready to move beyond.
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