‘Incredibly optimistic:’ David Jolly fails to pull off statewide upset

In the most recent race for governor in Florida, Ron DeSantis cruised to re-election, beating Democratic nominee Charlie Crist by nearly 20 points in 2022.

Sporting an ‘I Voted’ sticker outside a polling place in Pinellas County Tuesday morning, David Jolly said he recognized the odds were stacked against him.

“It’s Florida,” Jolly said. “The numbers are against the Democratic nominee, but I think what we’re seeing is voters are about to defy history.”

Jolly, a former Republican congressman who left the GOP amid the political rise of President Donald Trump, hoped to pull off an upset against Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who was endorsed by Trump early in the Republican primary.

Ultimately, though, Donalds triumphed and was elected to the governor position on Tuesday night.

“We’re building a bigger table and you don’t have to pay to pull up a seat,” Jolly said Tuesday before the results were finalized, alluding to his campaign’s overtures to Republican and Independent voters. “And I mean that as somebody who thinks we have the most corrupt campaign finance system in the entire country. And the reason we have an economic crisis and the influx of data centers is because our state is owned by special interests and too often, candidates become vessels for those special interests.”

Jolly has embraced socially progressive causes, such as reproductive rights. But he has dedicated most of his energy to promoting an economic message.

“Housing, healthcare, education, and no data centers,” Jolly said, referring to his priorities should he be elected governor. “Along the way, I think we need to invest in clean air, clean water, and safe communities. And yes, I want to end the culture wars.”

Jolly held his Election Night party at the Tampa Convention Center.