Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly is strongly considering a run for Florida governor in 2026, vowing to challenge the state’s Republican dominance and focus on issues such as affordable insurance and public education.

Jolly said on the Anti-Social podcast he will make a decision by Memorial Day.

Jolly, a former Republican, said he would run as a Democrat, a move he described as a natural evolution of his political views. 

“I’ve considered myself part of the democratic coalition for several years now.” he said. “I was a lifelong Republican. I was elected to Congress as a Republican. To be honest, Republicans never thought I was a good enough Republican at the time.”

He cited his support for marriage equality, gun control, and climate science as points of divergence from the Republican Party.

 “When Donald Trump came on the scene, I had already been wrestling with the direction of the party coming out of the Tea Party years, and Donald Trump was a breaking point for me,” Jolly said.

Jolly aims to focus on issues affecting everyday Floridians, such as the state’s affordability crisis, insurance rates, and public education. “I think the Republicans in Tallahassee have been leading us in the wrong direction,” he said. “I think we could see a real change environment and change election.”

He criticized the state’s voucher system for private schools and the defunding of public schools. “We’ve defunded our public schools to the point that there really is no school choice. It’s a false choice,” he said.

Jolly also addressed his past political positions, acknowledging his evolution on issues such as abortion and campaign finance. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ve grown,” he said. “I went into Congress thinking money is speech. It should be unregulated. I’m now for public financing of campaigns.” 

On abortion, he said “I think we need to bring the Roe framework back, and I don’t think that infringes on someone’s personal beliefs about whether they’re pro life or pro choice.”

He said that voters are looking for solutions to their problems, not political rhetoric.“People in Florida just want solutions, he said. “We’re done fighting the culture wars. We just want our problems fixed, and we want Florida to be affordable again.”

Jolly said he is confident he can raise the necessary campaign funds and build a coalition to challenge the Republican hold on the governor’s office. “There are a couple of dynamics here. One is people feel like maybe Florida is out of reach,” he said. “But there’s two other things happening. One is, Democrats know they cannot give up on Florida or Texas or they lose the presidency for the next 20 years.”

He said that he would work with anyone to solve Florida’s problems. “I will work with anybody,” he said. “I think we need more money in public schools. I would ask Republicans to recognize that.”

Jolly represented Pinellas County 2014-17 and was defeated by former Gov. Charlie Crist, another ex-Republican who switched parties. Crist later challenged Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, but DeSantis easily defeated him, 59% to 40%,

Jolly’s decision for 2026 is being closely watched as DeSantis is term-limited and the governor’s race will be for an open slot.

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