Fmr. Republican never-Trumper taking on Florida gubernatorial run as a Democrat

A former Florida Republican just announced his gubernatorial bid as a Democrat.

David Jolly, an outspoken Trump critic, represented Florida’s 13th district from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican. He announced his move for governor in a press release on Thursday.

“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,” Jolly said.

“This is a different type of issues-driven, results-focused campaign, and it will be driven not by anger and division but by optimism and solutions,” Jolly said. “We are building a new coalition of Floridians who deeply care about their state and are desperate for real answers to real problems that are putting our quality of life at risk.”

He also announced the news on X, where he declared that Florida was in a “crisis of right vs wrong.”

I’m Democrat David Jolly, and I’m launching my campaign today for Governor of Florida.

Our state is in crisis — not just a crisis of policy, not right versus left, but a crisis of right versus wrong.

It doesn’t have to be this way. pic.twitter.com/Rkql5eaFD2

— David Jolly (@davidjollyfl) June 5, 2025

Jolly, who left the GOP in 2018, is the first Democrat to throw his hat in the gubernatorial ring and faces an uphill battle in the Sunshine State that went for President Trump by 13 points.

Several of Florida’s traditionally Democratic areas have flipped Republican, including Miami-Dade County.

Currently, Jolly’s biggest contender is Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, who has earned Trump’s coveted endorsement for Florida’s next governor.

Donalds didn’t waste any time taking his first shot at Jolly.

“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,” Donalds said on X in response to Jolly’s bid announcement.

As Governor, I will fight side by side with President Trump to protect Florida families and Make America Great Again.

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…

— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) June 5, 2025

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