Former congressman David Jolly believes he can break the Republican Party’s lock on Florida’s governor mansion. As a former Republican he believes he knows how, and the LGBTQ vote is a key component to the plan.

He spent Feb. 27 taking questions at a town hall, meeting with community leaders at a fundraiser, and taking a private tour of Stonewall National Museum Archive & Library. CEO Robert Kesten took him deep in the archives, showing him one-of-a-kind items, rare books and more and then connecting them to how they shaped the community into the one we have today. 

Jolly nodded and listened and his eye was caught by the Will You Wear My Pin exhibit that just closed. He remembered the pin resurgence of the 1990s when he was in college. Of all the things he saw on the tour, that pin-covered vintage jean jacket became a relatable touchstone. 

After the tour, the candidate sat down with OutSFL reporters Steve Rothaus and John Hayden and discussed everything from why Florida’s LGBTQ should embrace a former Republican with self-professed libertarian leanings, how he plans to help make the state “purple” again, and how to alleviate the onerous and increasingly expensive burden of storm/wind/flood insurance. 

Faith, Politics, & LGBTQ 

Jolly embraces his faith and his preacher’s kid upbringing and says that his views stray from the perceived monolithic anti-LGBTQ religion. When asked if this was his “big gay day on the campaign trail,” he laughed and went into his progressive bona fides. He mentioned his early support (by GOP standards) for marriage equality and said this wasn’t his first day getting into the community. 

“I’ve been fortunate, in the year since we got into this race, to build affinity and support within the LGBTQ community from day one,” he said. “When you visit the Stonewall Museum, you step into a perspective that orients this campaign in a way I want to be true to and mindful to.” 

Despite growing up the son of a Southern Baptist preacher in the ‘70s and ‘80s, he says it was not a stereotypical upbringing. 

“I grew up seeing my parents lead with love,” he said. “My parents, whether they would admit it or not, practiced progressive evangelism. My father was run out of a church in west Georgia in the sixties for baptizing a woman of color.” 

He admits his voting record likely wouldn’t get him a 100% score from LGBTQ rights groups, he does talk about his early support for marriage equality and split with GOP party lines on several LGBTQ issues. 

As for his party switch, he credits personal growth. “If it’s a question of trust, that unlocks a broader conversation than politics,” he said. He spent years as an independent, saying Republicans didn’t want him and Democrats didn’t need him. 

“I continued my journey of change. I left the party. I’ve continued to grow in my ideology. I think in the last two years the Democratic Party has become much more embracing.” 

Path to Tallahassee 

Ron DeSantis won his first term by just a few thousand votes, just a whisker in Florida. By 2022 he won by about 18 points, Republicans held a super majority in the legislature, and firmly moved Florida from purple to red. 

Assuming he can get the nomination and motivate the wider Democratic Party, he still needs to win over new voters and get support from independents and the race would still be close. So: where does he expect to find the votes? 

“We are a Democratic Party with a million-and-a-half registrations fewer than Republicans. What is different in ‘26 from ‘22 is voters are demanding change in a way that favors Democratic candidates. Voters tell us each cycle what they want.” 

He says that was the post-COVID economy and that Florida was embracing the culture wars. But, that was then. 

“You have Democratic voters turning out in ways they never have before. You also have independents that, 18 months ago, were turning out 2-1 for Republicans. They are now performing 3-1 for Democrats. And, I think we’re going to get 18% of Republicans in this race.” 

Jolly believes voters are fatigued after 30 years of Republican rule.  

“Republicans and independents are suffering from the economic crisis and the culture wars just as much as Democrats are. Even the soft Republicans know their kids and grandkids don’t want to live here because they don’t feel welcome.” 

Storm Surge 

While issues including the culture wars and the economy can be nationalized, there is one issue that is uniquely Florida: homeowner insurance. It’s almost always a must to get a mortgage. But, even for a small house, an owner of even a small house can pay more than $15,000 in deductibles and premiums before they collect a dollar. 

Every four years candidates from both parties come in promising big ideas and relief only to promptly ignore the problem after election day. Jolly says the situation is desperate. 

“I believe the state of Florida needs a state catastrophic fund to fully remove hurricane and natural disaster coverage from the private market altogether and put it in a state sovereign wealth fund.” 

He believes that should include rental and commercial properties and could reduce homeowner insurance by up to 60%. “There’s a market-based way to do it, but it’s unaffordable. I wish there was a private sector solution to solve these problems and that market has collapsed.” 

Jolly believes home insurance, as well as education, is part of the affordability crisis. 

The Democratic primary is set for Aug. 18. 

Photo via David Jolly, Facebook.