Former U.S. Representative David Jolly announced Aug. 5. that he has received endorsements from 60 current and former Democratic elected officials across Florida in his campaign for governor in the 2026 election.
The list includes former mayors, members of Congress, state senators, and representatives as well as former Democratic Party chairs. The group spans political perspectives within the Democratic Party, reflecting wide support for Jolly’s candidacy.
Jolly, who previously served in Congress as a Republican representing Florida’s 13th District, is running with a focus on addressing rising housing costs in Florida. To reduce costs, Jolly advocates for a state catastrophic fund that would diminish reliance on private insurance companies and therefore restore affordability.
“David Jolly is the kind of leader who fights for what’s right and knows what working families are going through,” said Rod Smith, former state senator and former chair of the Florida Democratic Party. “The affordability crisis is hurting Floridians across the state, and it’s time to rally behind someone with the courage and vision to fix it.”
Jolly has not held public office since leaving Congress in 2017. Since then, he has positioned himself as an independent voice and political commentator, frequently critical of both major parties.
Among the officials endorsing Jolly are former Florida Education Commissioner Betty Castor, former U.S. Representatives Patrick Murphy and Karen Thurman, and former state legislative leaders such as Jon Mills, Nan Rich and Tina Polsky.
“David is a leader who is focused on real, practical, common-sense solutions to improve the lives of everyday people in Florida,” said Mills, who served as Speaker of the Florida House in the 1980s.
State Senator Polsky cited the cost of housing and other economic pressures as key reasons for her endorsement. “Floridians are struggling with the cost of housing, insurance, and basic necessities – and David Jolly has a plan to fix it,” she said.
The campaign did not announce a running mate, and the full Democratic primary field remains uncertain. Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994 – the last being Lawton Chiles, who died in office and was briefly succeeded by Kenneth Hood Mackay Jr., before Republican Jeb Bush was elected in 1999.
“David Jolly understands that Florida’s affordability crisis is hurting families across our state,” said former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich. “He’s offering practical solutions and building a broad, inclusive coalition.”
In addition to addressing Florida’s affordability crisis, Jolly’s 2026 gubernatorial campaign will center on revitalizing Florida’s public education system by raising teacher pay, reforming school voucher programs and expanding access to state universities.
He also plans to protect reproductive rights by codifying Roe/Casey, push for campaign finance and ethics reform, implement common-sense gun safety measures, and lead with an inclusive, unifying vision that rejects divisive culture-war politics.
The 2026 gubernatorial race is expected to be competitive, with affordability and cost-of-living issues likely to be major themes. Jolly’s campaign has stated that it aims to appeal to a wide spectrum of voters across party lines.