Jolly is aiming to secure the Democratic nomination for the 2026 Florida Gubernatorial Elections, which will see him likely facing off with either Republican Congressman Byron Donalds or Casey DeSantis, the wife of current governor Ron DeSantis.
Shane Miller and Jonathan Roman | Staff Writers
Donalds has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, while Mrs. DeSantis has held several public events, including an earlier event at FIU weeks after Donalds’ wife visited. These public events have fueled speculation that she may be gearing up for a Gubernatorial bid, though it has not been officially confirmed by DeSantis.
In 2018, Jolly left the Republican Party and became an independent. Jolly afterward appeared as a commentator frequently on cable news, mostly as an open critic of President Trump. In 2025, he switched to the Democratic Party, setting the stage for his current gubernatorial bid.
Jolly pitched himself on his experience as a former Congressman, his status as an ex-Republican, and also adopted notably centrist stances on issues such as Immigration, School Choice, and Affordability.
Jolly first discussed the growing number of Charter Schools in Florida and the accompanying school choice movement. He voiced his opposition to these schools, but only because they currently do not need to meet the same standards as public schools in Florida. Otherwise, Jolly said he would not oppose school choice.
He also pitched a “10-year renaissance” for public education in the state, wherein he would use revenue generated by tourism to pay for improved teacher pay and infrastructure for schools across the State. He noted how a majority of revenue generated by tourism in the State is exclusively used to encourage more tourism, and is not often reinvested in the State’s infrastructure.
He then spoke sharply against the signing of 287 (g) agreements, saying “ICE agreements should not be signed by local leaders, because they fail to provide individual due process.” He added that while cooperative agreements are not inherently bad, these specific agreements “abandon due process” and their signing should not be influenced by the State government.
Likewise, he also urged Democrats and local officials to resist pressure to support these agreements and to speak out, even with the threat of losing their positions, directly rebuking Democratic officials who signed 287g agreements under state pressure.
Jolly noted how “The great criminal threat we face is not the immigrant showing up to work every day.” He emphasized that he “unapologetically supports immigrants and immigration,” adding that “we need tall walls, but wide gates”.
The audience responded with enthusiasm for Jolly’s candidacy. Manuel Fernandez, a student at FIU and a local zoning official on Community Council Area 11, said Jolly’s party switch “Perfectly exemplifies what Democrats are trying to do, changing the hearts and minds of people who may have once supported MAGA but now realize those votes aren’t benefiting them.”
However, an early UNF Public Opinion Research Lab poll shows Byron Donalds leading every potential Democratic nominee for the 2026 Gubernatorial race by 11 points. Regardless, Fernandez remained optimistic about Jolly’s chances, saying ‘There’s always a possibility that a Democrat can win, especially someone like David Jolly, who can reach across the aisle as a former Republican himself.”
Jolly’s campaign faces an uphill battle as Florida continues to move towards Republicans in recent elections. The GOP currently holds a sizable voter registration advantage in the state, and Governor DeSantis continues to hold a 56% approval rating among Floridians, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The Florida Democratic Party has struggled to win key races after a string of state losses, but Jolly’s campaign aims to revitalize a struggling Florida Democratic Party.
About Post Author
