TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Former Congressman David Jolly has announced he will run for governor of Florida. The Dunedin native served as a Republican member from 2014 to 2017 as a member of Congress. He left the party in 2018 and recently registered as a Democrat.
“Is it okay to change your mind? I think it should be. I think more politicians should change their minds. I think the question is when you see a politician who changes values. My values were the same,” Jolie said.
One of Jolie’s goals is to help Floridians live and spend their money in the sun’s state.
“We’re running because I think we’re in the middle of an affordable crisis,” Jolie said.
One of his ideas, he said, involves a plan to reduce the amount the family pays for property insurance.
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“Florida needs a state catastrophic fund. By removing hurricane coverage and natural disaster coverage from the private market, you can put it in the state catastrophic fund and reduce private property insurance and homeowner insurance by up to 60%,” Jolie said.
It has the driving force to expand access to abortion and legalize recreational marijuana. Despite failing to cross the 60% threshold required for both voting measures to pass, Jolie said Tallahassee lawmakers should have submitted and enacted laws to honor the majority of voters.
Jolly’s platform also includes plans to reduce gun violence.
“We need a comprehensive and universal background check. We need to improve our Parkland package. My Republican enemy now wants to roll back the Parkland package,” Jolie said.
In a statement, the governor candidate and Rep. Byron Donald, supported by President Donald Trump, said in part.
“David Jolly is a failed politician, lobbyist and MSNBC commentator. Soon he will be able to add failed governor candidates to his resume.”
Jolie is a strong critic of Trump.
“Nice guy. There’s no chance,” said state Sen. Jason Pizzo, who runs under a No Party affiliation.
Jolie has not seen the path to the governor’s mansion for candidates running as an independent.
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Speculation continues, including First Lady Casey DeSantis and Attorney John Morgan to take part in the race.
Tara Newsom, a political science professor at St. Pete College, placed emphasis on Jolie’s candidacy.
“David Jolly may be the right messenger with the right message for Democrats. The message is that Floridians are tired of the culture war and that the next governor’s campaign is not about the issue of affordability, not about the issue of maga movement,” Newsmom said.
Jolie understands that she has to cross the party line to win.
“If David Jolly could argue that he switched political parties from principles rather than politics, that would resonate with those independent voters,” Newsmom said.
The Republican Governors Association called Jolly a flip-floper than a switching party, and likened him to the former government and Rep. Charlie Christ.
Florida Democrats will not give support ahead of the primary.
