From Trump Critic to Dem Hopeful Can Jolly Win Florida?

From Republican Critic to Democratic Hopeful: David Jolly Enters Florida Governor Race

The political landscape in Florida is about to get a whole lot more interesting. David Jolly, the former Republican congressman and outspoken critic of Donald Trump, has officially announced his candidacy for Florida governor – as a Democrat. This marks a significant shift for Jolly, who hopes to capitalize on what he sees as an overreach by the Republican party in the Sunshine State.

Jolly formally launched his campaign on Thursday, throwing his hat into the ring for the 2026 election. With current Republican Governor Ron DeSantis term-limited, the race is wide open, and Jolly aims to bring a different perspective to the table. His core message focuses on key issues that he believes resonate with a broad spectrum of Floridians:

• Affordability: Addressing the rising cost of living in Florida.
• Public Education: Ensuring adequate funding and resources for public schools.
• Campaign Finance and Ethics Reform: Strengthening laws to promote transparency and accountability in government.

“I actually think Republicans in Tallahassee have gone too far in dividing us. I think we should get politicians out of the classrooms, out of the doctor’s offices,” Jolly stated. He believes that “enough people in Florida, even some Republicans, now understand that… that the culture wars have gone too far.”

A Journey Across the Aisle

Jolly's political evolution is noteworthy. He was first elected to Congress in a 2014 special election representing the Tampa Bay area. However, in 2018, he left the Republican Party, becoming an independent before officially registering as a Democrat. He has since become a familiar face on MSNBC as a political commentator and vocal opponent of Donald Trump.

Jolly emphasizes that his decision to register as a Democrat wasn't a sudden shift. "The actual registration as a Democrat wasn’t a pivot. It was a kind of a formality,” he explained, adding that he has considered himself "part of the Democratic coalition" for roughly five years, firmly believing in the party's core values:

• Government's Role: A belief that government can play a positive role in people's lives.
• Economic Fairness: Striving for an economy that is fair and equitable for all.
• Celebrating Immigrants: Recognizing and valuing the contributions of immigrants.

Challenges and Comparisons

Jolly's entry into the race draws immediate comparisons to former Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, who unsuccessfully challenged DeSantis in 2022. Notably, it was Crist, running as a Democrat, who ousted Jolly from his congressional seat in 2016. Jolly is entering the Florida Democratic Party at a particularly challenging time.

Key Challenges Facing Jolly:

• Florida currently has no Democrats elected to statewide office.
• There are 1.2 million more registered Republicans than Democrats in the state.
• The GOP has made significant gains in traditionally Democratic areas, such as Miami-Dade County.

Further complicating matters, on the same day Jolly announced his affiliation, Jason Pizzo, the then-top Democrat in the Florida Senate, declared his departure from the party, stating that "the Democratic Party in Florida is dead."

The Road Ahead

On the Republican side, Jolly is likely to face strong competition, including Trump-backed Rep. Byron Donalds. Other potential GOP contenders include former Rep. Matt Gaetz and even Casey DeSantis. The 2026 Florida gubernatorial race promises to be a closely watched and intensely fought battle.

Conclusion

David Jolly's decision to run for Florida governor as a Democrat injects a new dynamic into the state's political scene. His journey from Republican congressman to vocal Trump critic and now Democratic candidate is a testament to his evolving political beliefs and his desire to address key issues facing Floridians. Whether he can overcome the challenges facing the Florida Democratic Party and resonate with voters remains to be seen, but his candidacy guarantees a compelling and unpredictable race.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/david-jolly-trump-critic-former-gop-congressman-run-122523125