Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is prioritizing a robust investment in Florida's education system as he mounts a platform to become the next governor of the state. Jolly, a former Republican, has already outlined an extensive policy platform in a June interview with The Floridian.
"We need to reinvest and celebrate public education," Jolly said. "As Governor, I will push for more public schools, in more neighborhoods, with teachers who are paid more. It’s that simple."
A GOP congressman from 2014 to 2017, Jolly criticized Florida Republicans for not believing in public education. In contrast, Jolly said he wanted the state's public education to be "the best in the world."
"They just simply don't believe in public education. They are trying to defund public education and move voucher money into private schools," Jolly said.
Jolly switched his party affiliation to Democrat in April. Now with his new party, Jolly has received support from 60 current and former Democratic officials in his uphill climb to become the next governor of Florida.
Florida hasn't had a Democratic governor since early 1999. The state has also shifted right in the Legislature, with supermajorities in both the House and Senate.
Making matters more difficult, Jolly isn't a huge fan of President Donald Trump. The 52-year-old has called him a "clown" in the past.
Trump won Florida by 13 points over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Notably, Trump nearly quadrupled his margin of victory from his 2020 win over President Joe Biden.
Adding to the difficulty, Trump endorsed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds for governor in February. Rep. Donalds has also secured support from Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott and pretty much the entire state GOP delegation,
Recent polling showed Donalds with an early lead over Jolly.
But has Jolly found a winning message? A report from the Network for Public Education (NPE) showed Florida as being dead last in public education funding, so maybe he's onto something.
