David Jolly completes party swap, registers as Democrat and escalates gubernatorial aspirations

Former Rep. David Jolly registers as Democrat ahead of possible run for governor

Former Republican Rep. David Jolly has registered as a Democrat and says he's considering a campaign for Florida governor in 2026.

David Jolly’s Gubernatorial Team Taking Shape

Lobbyist–turned-Congressman– turned political commentator David Jolly is moving closer to launching a campaign for Governor of Florida.Jolly first teased the prospect of a state-wide campaign a month ago with well-placed news stories about his political aspirations. Just this week, POLITICO Florida announced Jolly had officially joined the Florida Democrat Party, along with the formation of a new political committee and a key hire for Team Jolly…

David Jolly is now a Democrat and moving closer to running for governor

Former GOP Congressman David Jolly in front of the Capitol in Tallahassee on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)Former Pinellas County Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly is making moves indicating that he is close to entering the Democratic race for Florida governor in 2026. As first reported by Politico Thursday morning, Jolly, a political independent for the past seven years, registered as a Democrat Wednesday and simultaneous…

'Pragmatic' ex-GOP lawmaker weighing FL gubernatorial run — as a Democrat

During his years in the U.S. House of Representatives, then-Rep. David Jolly (R-Florida) was known for being a moderate Republican. Jolly leaned conservative but wasn't far-right. Like many other Never Trumpers, however, Jolly expressed his disdain for President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement by leaving the GOP in 2018 and becoming an independent. And he is often featured as a pundit on MSNBC, which leans liberal but has some conservative ho…

Former GOP congressman David Jolly switches to Democrat ahead of expected Florida governor bid

Former Republican congressman David Jolly registered as a Democrat ahead of an anticipated bid for Florida governor. On Thursday, Jolly launched a political committee expected to boost his anticipated gubernatorial bid. Jolly, who left the Republican Party to become an…

David Jolly registers as a Democrat, making moves toward Florida governor bid

Jolly is launching a state political committee called Florida 2026, which he said will be geared at registering voters and tackling key affordability problems.