David Jolly
Governor
FL Governor 2026
David Jolly is the leading Democratic candidate in the 2026 Florida governor's race and one of the most unusual figures in it: a former Republican congressman who left his party over opposition to Trump, spent years as a cable news commentator, and registered as a Democrat in April 2025 specifically to run. Born in Dunedin, Florida, he earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He worked as a congressional staffer for Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young before winning the special election to succeed him in FL-13 in 2014. He served one full term before losing re-election in 2016. He left the Republican Party in September 2018, citing Trump, and has since been a prominent anti-Trump Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat voice on cable news. He announced his governor campaign in June 2025 and leads the Democratic primary field at 21% — though Democrats face long odds in a state that has trended decisively Republican at the statewide level since 2018. His positions have evolved significantly since his Republican tenure, including on abortion, marriage equality, gun control, and climate.
Affordability
Lower housing and insurance costs as the top-line economic priority
- Made housing affordability and insurance cost the central economic message of his campaign
- Proposed strengthening property insurance market regulation to lower consumer premiums
- Supports restricting institutional buyers from driving up single-family home prices
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Codify abortion rights in Florida law if elected governor
- Pledged to introduce legislation codifying abortion rights as a first-term priority
- Changed his position from his Republican-era voting record; now supports full reproductive access
- Has been outspoken in criticizing Florida's six-week abortion ban
Public Education
Increase public school funding; oppose voucher diversion of public funds
- Campaigned on reversing funding shifts toward private school vouchers
- Supports teacher pay increases and investment in public school infrastructure
- Frames public education investment as an affordability and workforce issue
Ethics & Campaign Finance
Strengthen campaign finance disclosure and government ethics laws
- Made ethics reform a signature campaign issue, arguing Florida has weakened disclosure requirements
- Supports stricter conflict-of-interest rules for Florida elected officials
- Cited his own party-switching background as evidence of prioritizing principle over party
Loading roll-call votes…