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David Jolly Florida news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
David Jolly won the Democratic nomination for Florida governor on Aug 18, 2026. He now faces Republican Byron Donalds in November's general election.
Background
David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, switched parties and is running as a Democrat for Florida governor. He won the primary easily, setting up a general election matchup against Republican Byron Donalds. The race is seen as a test of Trump's influence in Florida, a state where Republicans have a voter registration advantage.
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026AP reports that David Jolly is out to prove Democrats can win in Florida, highlighting his campaign's focus on appealing to voters disaffected with Trump.
- Aug 17, 2026CBS News reports that Jolly and Donalds top public campaign funds ahead of the primary, indicating a competitive fundraising race.
- Aug 18, 2026Florida holds primaries; Jolly wins the Democratic nomination for governor, while Donalds wins the Republican nomination.
- Aug 19, 2026NBC News confirms the general election matchup: Republican Byron Donalds vs. Democrat David Jolly for Florida's governorship.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Analysts see Jolly's nomination as a long-shot for Democrats in a state where Republicans outnumber them, but his crossover appeal might help.
- Support
- Jolly's supporters believe his message of appealing to disaffected Republicans and independents can break the Democratic losing streak in Florida.
- Caution
- Some caution that Jolly's past as a Republican and his moderate stances may not energize the Democratic base enough to overcome the registration gap.