The race for Florida’s governorship is heating up, with the Byron Donalds for Governor campaign launching its first online advertisement, sharply criticizing former Republican Congressman David Jolly for his embrace of what they term “radical Democrat values.”
Jolly, a vocal critic of Donald Trump, recently announced his candidacy for Florida Governor, running as a Democrat.
The 60-second video released by the Donalds campaign features Jolly stating that Democrats are “absolutely right on the issues.”
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This statement is highlighted against a backdrop of Democratic policies that the Donalds campaign describes as “historically unpopular” and “insane,” including advocating for amnesty for undocumented immigrants, taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries for prisoners and detained undocumented immigrants, allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports, anti-ICE protests, and significant tax increases.
Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds Campaign, asserted, “The Democrat Party is absolutely wrong on the issues, and David Jolly is absolutely wrong for Florida. While David Jolly supports flooding our communities with criminal illegal aliens, letting men compete in women’s sports, and crushing families with higher taxes, common-sense Floridians do not.” Smith added that as Governor, Byron Donalds would “protect Florida from the radical left and their dangerous agenda,” emphasizing Donalds’ endorsement by President Trump.
Jolly’s shift to the Democratic party and his platform come as term-limited Republican Governor Ron DeSantis prepares to conclude his tenure in 2026.
Jolly expressed confidence that issues such as affordability, public school funding, and strengthening campaign finance and ethics laws will resonate with Florida voters.
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He stated earlier this month, “I actually think Republicans in Tallahassee have gone too far in dividing us. I think we should get politicians out of the classrooms, out of the doctor’s offices… I think enough people in Florida, even some Republicans, now understand that. That the culture wars have gone too far.”
However, Florida Republicans were swift to condemn Jolly’s candidacy, citing the state’s significant Republican voter advantage, which currently stands at 1.3 million.
Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power labeled Jolly a “flip-flopping political relic,” highlighting his past shifts on issues like Obamacare, abortion, and gun control.
Power stated, “No matter the issue, David Jolly has been on all sides of it… Under Republican leadership, Florida enjoys low inflation, fiscal responsibility, and a thriving economy. School choice and parental rights are prioritized, and support for the rule of law is unmatched. We aren’t going backward with a flip-flopping political relic.”
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Power also referenced President Donald Trump’s double-digit victory in Florida seven months prior, predicting Jolly has “no platform, no base, and no chance in Florida.”
Congressman Byron Donalds, who has already raised over $16 million for his gubernatorial bid, echoed these sentiments, calling Jolly an “anti-Trump radical leftist.”
“David Jolly is an anti-Trump radical leftist who wants to raise your taxes, allow illegals to pour across our border, take school choice away from families, ban guns, and bring woke ideology to Florida,” Donalds stated. “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.”
Ryan Smith further criticized Jolly, referring to him as a “failed politician, lobbyist, and MSNBC commentator” who will soon add “failed Gubernatorial candidate to his resume.”
Smith drew parallels between Jolly’s party shifts and those of former Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, asserting, “Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next Governor because he is the only proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump.”
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