The Florida governor race in 2026 is getting a lot of attention. Former U.S. Representative David Jolly is leading the Democratic side. He started his campaign early and held a big rally in St. Petersburg, Florida. At the rally, he talked about solving Florida’s high living costs. Jolly used to be a Republican in Congress but is now a Democrat. He wants to get support from many voters by focusing on issues that matter to everyone.
Rallying Support in St. Petersburg
Jolly’s rally was on a Thursday evening at Nova in St. Petersburg. More than 400 people came to the event. This shows that many people are interested in his campaign. Jolly wants to be the first Democrat to win the governor job in Florida since 1994. Leaders from different parts of Florida joined him, including Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May and State Senator Tina Polsky. This shows that he is trying to unite Democrats from all over the state.
Former Democratic Representative Gwen Graham also spoke at the rally. She believes Jolly can win the general election. She talked about how they worked together in Congress, showing that he can appeal to voters who are tired of political fighting. Many important Democrats have supported Jolly because they think he has the best chance to win and change the long Republican rule in Tallahassee.
Addressing Florida’s Affordability Crisis
David Jolly’s main campaign idea is to fix Florida’s high living costs. He wants to help people in these ways:
- Reducing Insurance Costs: Jolly wants the state to create a fund for hurricane and wind insurance. This fund could lower home insurance by 60–70%.
- Lowering Utility Rates: He plans to invest in clean and renewable energy. He believes this will make electricity and water cheaper for everyone.
- Expanding Healthcare Access: Jolly wants to make healthcare more affordable. He plans to expand Medicaid and offer state-funded health services, especially for rural and poor areas. He also wants to protect abortion rights.
Jolly focuses on everyday issues, not culture wars. He has visited more than 130 places since starting his campaign. He also wants to reduce property taxes, help first-time homebuyers, and use some tourism money for schools and teachers.
The Road Ahead: Primary and General Election
The rally showed that Jolly and Graham work well together. Some people wonder if Graham might be his running mate as Lieutenant Governor. Jolly said he will decide on a running mate soon but did not confirm anything.
The next big event for Jolly is the Democratic primary on August 18, 2026. He will compete with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. The winner will face a tough general election because Republicans have controlled Florida’s governor seat for a long time. The Republican primary will likely be between Representative Byron Donalds, who has support from Donald Trump, and former State House Speaker Paul Renner. The 2026 race is expected to be very competitive and closely watched.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and campaign sources.