David Jolly announces run for Florida governor

David Jolly announces run for Florida governor

Former Tampa Bay U.S. Rep. David Jolly is running to be the next governor of Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. - David Jolly has officially entered Florida’s gubernatorial race. He is vying for the seat Gov. Ron DeSantis will vacate in 2027 at the end of his second term.

Jolly has been laying the groundwork for his campaign. In April, he registered a state political action committee, enabling him to start fundraising. He also changed his party affiliation from no party to Democrat.

 After spending the past few years out of the political spotlight, Jolly says it’s time to re-enter the arena, motivated by a desire to bring about meaningful change in Florida.

Who is David Jolly?

What we know:

David Jolly is a former U.S. Representative for Tampa Bay, serving from 2014 to 2017. He is currently running as a Democratic candidate for governor of Florida in 2026. 

Jolly is focused on addressing Florida’s affordability crisis, public education funding, property insurance reform, and gun safety.

He lives in Belleair Bluffs with his wife and two children and has been a longtime political commentator for MSNBC.

What they're saying:

 "We have an affordability crisis in Florida driven by an insurance crisis that continues to worsen in the face of complete neglect by Tallahassee. We have abandoned public education, and we’ve allowed corruption to run rampant. It’s time for a change," Jolly said in a prepared statement. "This is a lived experience for our family, just as it is for millions of Floridians. Let’s end the politics of division and return Florida to voters who simply want an economy that works, the best education system in the world, safe communities, and a government that stays out of their doctors’ offices and family decisions."

The other side:

Also running for Florida governor is Congressman Byron Donalds. He is currently the only Republican candidate in the race and has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. 

Donalds has outlined his priorities as governor, which include reducing business regulations, tackling the insurance crisis, and supporting school choice.

The Byron Donalds for Governor Campaign released the following response to Jolly's campaign announcement:

"David Jolly is an anti-Trump radical leftist who wants to raise your taxes, allow illegals to pour across our border, take school choice away from families, ban guns, and bring woke ideology to Florida. He's completely out of touch with Florida's voters and our values. Florida is Trump Country, and I am proudly endorsed by President Trump to be Florida's next Governor. As Governor, I will fight side by side with President Trump to protect Florida families and Make America Great Again," Donalds said in a prepared statement. 

Dig deeper:

Jolly’s gubernatorial run as a Democrat draws comparisons to the failed bid of former Republican congressman-turned-independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, who lost to DeSantis in 2022 by 19 points. It was Crist, running as a Democrat, who ousted Jolly from his congressional seat in 2016.

Jolly joined the Florida Democratic Party at what is arguably one of its most vulnerable points in years. Florida currently has no Democrats elected to statewide office, and there are now 1.2 million more registered Republicans than Democrats, according to the state’s active voter rolls. The GOP has made significant inroads in formerly Democratic strongholds in the state, such as Miami-Dade County.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

• Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
• Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
• Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
• FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV