Story perspectives

David Jolly Runs for Florida Governor as Democrat

4/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, is running for Florida governor as a Democrat after officially joining the party in April 2025.
He faces Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in the Democratic primary.
Jolly has momentum after Florida Democratic wins, with endorsements from Rep. Emily Gregory and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Shevrin Jones.
The August 18 primary sets the stage for a matchup against Republican frontrunner Byron Donalds.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Florida gubernatorial election, held on November 2, saw Republican Rick Scott narrowly defeat Democrat Alex Sink, securing 48.9% of the vote. This election marked a pivotal shift in Florida's political landscape, as Scott's victory was part of a broader Republican wave during the midterms, influencing future political alignments and highlighting the state's evolving voter dynamics.

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Story summary

David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, is running for Florida governor as a Democrat after officially joining the party in April 2025.
He faces Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in the Democratic primary.
Jolly has momentum after Florida Democratic wins, with endorsements from Rep. Emily Gregory and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Shevrin Jones.
The August 18 primary sets the stage for a matchup against Republican frontrunner Byron Donalds.

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