The Republican Party of Florida reacted to Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly reportedly announcing former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate by calling her a "liberal nepo baby" through a statement this week.
"Gwen Graham, is the latest example of Florida Democrats turning to political family names instead of new leadership," the Florida GOP wrote in a release. "Graham once campaigned as a moderate who understood North Florida values. But after leaving office, she went to Washington and joined Joe Biden’s Department of Education, where she became part of an administration that pushed radical policies opposed by many Florida families."
Graham represented District 2, part of the Florida panhandle, from 2015 to 2017. She also served as assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs under the Biden administration from 2021 to 2025.
As part of their criticism, the Florida GOP slammed Graham for aligning herself with proposed guidelines under the Biden administration largely allowing biological males to compete in women's sports. The administration ultimately withdrew any changes due to ongoing litigation and controversy late in Biden's term, along with the incoming presidency of Donald Trump, who opposed allowing biological males to compete in women's athletics.
In addition, the Florida GOP criticized Graham for promoting polices limiting parental rights over their children's education. Calling Graham a liberal nepo baby, they also called Jolly a "political chameleon."
Jolly served as a Republican in Florida's 13th congressional from 2014 to 2017. He later left the GOP and became a Democrat in April 2025 just months before launching his gubernatorial run.
“The Chameleon and the Nepo Baby are the perfect representatives of today’s Florida Democratic Party," Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power added. "David Jolly has spent years changing his beliefs whenever it benefits his political career, while Gwen Graham abandoned the North Florida values she once claimed to represent and went to work advancing Joe Biden’s radical education agenda in Washington. Floridians don’t want higher taxes, government overreach, or the failed policies that have devastated blue states. They want the freedom, prosperity, and common-sense leadership that Republicans have delivered.”
Jolly's pick of Graham is likely a play for moderate voters in the Republican dominant state.
According to the Florida Division of Elections, Republicans hold a 1.5 million voter registration edge over Democrats but have a considerable amount of Independent voters.
