Former Republican Congressman Turned Democrat Announces Gubernatorial Bid to Flip Florida Blue

Democrats in Florida are facing significant challenges as they prepare for the 2026 gubernatorial election, hoping to break a decades-long losing streak for the party in the Sunshine State. The last time a Democrat secured the governor’s office was with Lawton Chiles’ re-election in 1994, marking over thirty years of Republican dominance.

Former Rep. David Jolly, who once represented Florida in Congress as a Republican, has now thrown his hat into the ring as a Democrat, announcing his candidacy for governor. Jolly emphasized that Florida's deepening affordability and insurance crisis, coupled with issues in public education and corruption, offer Democrats a unique opening after years of political setbacks. "We have an affordability crisis in Florida driven by an insurance crisis that continues to worsen in the face of complete neglect by Tallahassee," Jolly stated, underscoring what he sees as the core issue affecting Floridians across the political spectrum.

Jolly argues that this economic pressure affects families regardless of party affiliation and is a direct result of what he calls “Republican neglect.” However, he acknowledged the mathematical reality facing Democrats, noting, "There aren't enough Democratic votes in Florida for a Democratic governor to just win with their own party. We have to build a coalition that includes independents and commonsense Republicans."

Despite these hurdles, Jolly remains optimistic, pointing to his recent town halls where he claims to have seen "Republicans turning out. Independents are coming out. There's a perfect storm for legacy Republicans right now." Citing examples from Kentucky and Montana, where Democrats have built broad coalitions to win in traditionally Republican states, Jolly hopes to replicate that model in Florida. His campaign recently onboarded senior adviser Eric Hyers, known for helping secure wins for Democratic governors in those states.

Meanwhile, Florida Republicans are dismissive of Jolly's prospects. Party Chair Evan Power sharply criticized Jolly’s political history and new Democratic affiliation, declaring him another poor choice for voters seeking change. The steep hill for Democrats became even higher with state Senator Jason Pizzo's decision to run as an independent, following his criticism that the Florida Democratic Party was "dead." Jolly insists that his campaign aims to welcome disaffected independent voters into a new coalition, saying, "We want you in this coalition."

On the Republican side, the primary race is quickly taking shape, with Rep. Byron Donalds emerging as an early frontrunner. Donalds has secured a high-profile endorsement from former President Donald Trump, instantly boosting his visibility among the GOP base. Speculation around a potential bid by First Lady Casey DeSantis appears to be cooling, consolidating Donalds' position.

Jolly, however, is steering his campaign away from the national Republican personalities. "This race is not about Donald Trump. You'll never hear me talk about Donald Trump. It's about the affordability crisis and how Republicans in Tallahassee have created it," he insisted. Yet, he warned that a race featuring Donalds or Casey DeSantis would feel like a continuation of the current administration rather than true change, arguing, "If it's Casey DeSantis, you're not seeing change. You're seeing the third term of Ron DeSantis."

With just over two years until Election Day, Florida’s political landscape is shaping up to be a battleground not just between parties, but among divergent visions for how to address the state’s mounting challenges. As Democrats seek to build an unprecedented coalition and Republicans rally behind their chosen successor, the question remains: Can Florida's long-running political narrative be rewritten, or will history repeat itself once again?