U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly, along with his running mate Gwen Graham.
“I proudly and strongly support David and Gwen, am fully behind their candidacy, and I’m looking forward to the partnership up and down the ticket,” Rep. Jeffries wrote in his endorsement. “This is a critically important election. Everything we care about is on the line.”
Gwen and I are grateful for the support of Leader @hakeemjeffries. The eyes of the nation are on this race. Let's put in the work and get this across the finish line on November 3rd. pic.twitter.com/pWCZOxuNP4
— David Jolly (@davidjollyfl) September 12, 2026
Jolly and Graham thanked Rep. Jeffries for his support in a press release posted to his campaign website.
But the Republican Party is using the endorsement as proof Jolly isn't as moderate as he claims.
In a press release titled, "Jolly's 'Moderate' Mask Slips Again - Far-Left Hakeem Jeffries Endorses," the party claimed Jolly and Jeffries agree on several "radical" policies, specifically mentioning Jolly's stance on trans women in women's sports.
"Jeffries and Jolly agree on a lot. Both want to raise taxes. Both support a radical trans agenda by having men play girls' sports. And no doubt Jeffries loves Jolly's radical plan to take over and socialize Florida's insurance market," the press release claims. "The U.S. House Minority Leader is the latest Far-Left Democrat to line up behind Jolly, officially endorsing his campaign for Governor and providing yet another reminder that Jolly’s carefully manufactured and slick image is just that: an image."
Jolly's opponent, Republican nominee and Representative Byron Donalds, also commented on the endorsement in an X post over the weekend.
"Hakeem Jeffries endorsed David Jolly. No surprise there. My eyes are on the mission: protecting Florida from the radical Democrat agenda and building on everything that makes our state great. Florida will NEVER be New York. As Governor, I’ll keep Florida the envy of the other 49 states," he wrote.
Hakeem Jeffries endorsed David Jolly. No surprise there.
My eyes are on the mission: protecting Florida from the radical Democrat agenda and building on everything that makes our state great.
Florida will NEVER be New York. As Governor, I’ll keep Florida the envy of the other…
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) September 13, 2026
