Running for governor in Florida is a challenge that most candidates won’t take. The Sunshine State is described as a five-state consortium; each with a political distinction that has confounded consultants and political hopefuls alike. The north, south, central, east, and west coasts are striking contrasts. But David Jolly was undaunted, driven by his determination to bring people together. Instead, he quickly identified a common thread throughout the state: the affordability crisis.
Jolly attended 150 events over six months and recruited 3,000 volunteers, a remarkable feat so early in the campaign. His old-school campaign style intrigues Floridians because he takes time to hear their concerns and visit their communities.
“Fresh vision, fresh voice, fresh energy, and he can win.”
The words of Rev. RB Holmes, Pastor of Tallahassee’s historic Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, the heart of the Florida civil rights movement. Holmes leads Faith Leaders for Florida’s Future, a large statewide contingent of Black faith leaders endorsing the St Petersburg former Congressman. “David Jolly’s message is positive, inclusive, and focused on bringing people together rather than tearing them apart.”
“With Jolly, we have a chance and a choice.” Faith Leaders for Florida’s Future
On every level, Black leaders warn that nothing can be left to chance during the 2026 election. Sounding the alarm that Florida’s communities of color cannot sustain four more years of political brutality, and Jolly agrees. “The Free State of Florida is a lie. People feel they are treated differently because of the color of their skin, and that’s wrong.” He continues to build on that premise by gathering support, advice, and momentum.
While at the Florida Classic in Orlando, Jolly met with Florida NAACP President David Hart, Fedrick Ingrahm, Secretary Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, and Tallahassee City Commissioner Diane Williams Cox, to name a few. Laurence Humphries, who leads the campaign’s Higher Education Governance and Policy team, told supporters, “We all need to understand that this is it.”
Likewise, Tallahassee Urban League President Curtis Taylor summed it up this way: “We are supporting you. We’ve got to win this. You’re our last hope.”
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