TAMPA, Fla. — Former Republican Congressman David Jolly, now a registered Democrat, is running for governor of Florida in 2026.

Jolly officially announced his bid Thursday morning, saying it’s time for change in the Sunshine State.

“I believe we’re experiencing a historic affordability crisis that is limiting housing access for Floridians statewide, no matter their community, background, or political affiliation. I don’t think the Republicans are addressing this adequately in Tallahassee,” Jolly remarked.

Jolly highlighted economic issues as major reasons for his candidacy, pointing to the state’s escalating property insurance and utility costs, a burdened voucher system, and affordability challenges confronting families and retirees.

“We’re somewhat exhausted by engaging in culture wars,” he stated. “We feel it’s time to advocate for reduced property insurance, address the affordability crisis, and push for reinvestment in public schools,” Jolly expressed in an interview with 10 Tampa Bay in April.

The former Tampa Bay-area representative believes there is a viable path for a Democrat to win statewide, despite the Republican Party’s massive 1.2 million registered voter advantage and big wins in the last several elections.

“I would not be in this race if I did not think that a Democrat could win the governorship in ’26,” Jolly said. “This race is not about Donald Trump. It’s not about national politics. Republicans will want to make it about Donald Trump and national politics. We’re not going to let that happen. This is about relieving the affordability crisis, investing in public schools. This is about meeting voters where they are at now.”

Jolly, a vocal Trump critic, left the GOP in 2018 and identified as an independent before registering as a Democrat in April. He says his decision to align with the Florida Democratic Party is a continuation of his “political evolution.”

On the campaign trail he says he’ll be visiting with traditional Democratic supporters as well as groups he says have “been ignored” by statewide Dems — churchgoers and gun owners among them.

“I think Democratic values better align today with faith teachings, I want to have a conversation with gun owners. Gun owners aren’t the problem, but our gun laws are, and if we strengthen our gun laws, we’ll protect your kids just like we protect mine,” Jolly added.  

He also pushed back on comparisons to former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who ran for Senate as an Independent and for Congress as a Democrat, beating Jolly in the 2016 election.

Crist mounted a run for governor in 2022, winning the Democratic nomination before losing a general election landslide to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Charlie Crist continued to switch parties out of convenience. I have become a Democrat out of conviction,” Jolly said. “I’ve changed. I’ve grown.”

Jolly enters the race as the highest profile Democrat to throw their hat in the ring. State Senator Jason Pizzo, the former Senate Minority Leader who made waves by publicly leaving the Democratic Party, is mounting a bid as an independent.

On the Republican side, Congressman Byron Donalds has already begun his campaign with the backing and endorsement of President Donald Trump. 

In response to his Jolly’s bid, Donalds in a statement called Jolly, an “anti-Trump, radical leftist.” 

“He’s completely out of touch with Florida’s voters and our values. Florida is Trump Country, and I am proudly endorsed by President Trump to be Florida’s next Governor,” Donalds added.

Reportedly, First Lady Casey DeSantis is also mulling a run for the GOP nomination.