Governor hopeful David Jolly overbooked his fundraising event at NOVA 535 in St. Petersburg, with a whopping 400 attendees packing the house. The night drew a who’s-who of political figures, including the notable arrival of former Representative Gwen Graham, who many in the room quietly suggested is Jolly’s top pick for lieutenant governor.
Asked whether she would consider the role, Graham deferred. “I will do whatever David Jolly thinks is best to help him with this election,” she said. Jolly followed with, “We’re going to name a lieutenant governor candidate early. We aren’t going to wait until the primary, and I think we’ll see Gwen Graham in office again soon.”
Graham noted she had not attended a large political event in some time, saying this was her first since her father – former Florida governor and U.S. senator Bob Graham – passed in 2024. She represented Florida’s second congressional district from 2015–17 and reminded the crowd that she once served with Jolly in “Florida’s bipartisan caucus,” joking, “there were only four of us.”
Though this was her first time joining Jolly on the trail, the NOVA 535 event marked his 130th public engagement, with another scheduled Dec. 11 that Graham will also attend.
Rene Flowers, the last Democrat on the Pinellas County Commission, made her entrance with presence. Flowers praised Jolly for “speaking truths” during his years as an MSNBC commentator after losing his District 13 seat in 2016 to Charlie Crist.
She then introduced a line of speakers endorsing Jolly, including former Rep. and Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado, Commissioner Lumon May and Senator Tina Polsky of Broward and Palm Beach. Polsky added that she is “so glad [Jolly] chose to be a Democrat.”
Note: Jolly was a Republican when he served as congressman of District 13, then weighed the viability of being an Independent despite Florida’s closed primary system, before ultimately joining the Democratic Party, solidifying his bid for the governor’s mansion.
Each speech ended with attendees lifting signs that filled the room — “Jolly for Florida’s Next Governor – Believe.” Among them were members of Jolly’s staff: Aaron Horcha and Jennifer Griffith along with volunteer Robert Shaffer. As well as local dignitaries and leaders such as including Hank Hine of the Dali Museum’s Innovation Labs and Laura Hine, serving her second term on the Pinellas County School Board.
Elected officials mingled among hopeful candidates throughout the venue. Luis Salazar, running for District 64, told Poliverse he feels confident, saying “people all around Florida want change,” echoing Jolly’s message on the trail.
Also circulating was newcomer Timothy “Brandt” Robinson, a longtime Pinellas school teacher who filed only days ago to challenge District 13 incumbent Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
Before the final Q&A, Jolly closed the night of speeches with the three core values shaping his 2025 campaign: an economy that works for everyone, laws that apply equally to all people and the protection of personal freedoms across the state. And each value Jolly delivered was punctuated by a lot of sign-waving.
Those themes – and the speculation surrounding his possible lieutenant governor pick – will follow him to his next event at the Sarasota Yacht Club Dec. 11, where Graham is expected to appear again.
