David Jolly Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

David Jolly: ‘I need the national Democratic Party to come into Florida and start spending money’

Donalds has now raised more than $115 million via his political committee, while Jolly has raised $15.8 million.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 28, 2026September 28, 2026

With more polls and election analysts suggesting David Jolly could become the first Democrat to win a governor’s race in Florida in more than three decades, the former GOP congressman is appealing for money to defeat Republican Byron Donalds. This week the national elections rating group Decision Desk HQ shifted the Florida governor’s race to a […]

David Jolly speaking at a podium in front of an American flag with a Jolly Graham for Florida campaign sign

While David Jolly says he’d fire Joseph Ladapo as surgeon general on day one, Byron Donalds isn’t quite sure

It was a little over a year ago that Ladapo and Gov. Ron DeSantis announced their plan to drop all required vaccine mandates for children

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

David Jolly leads Byron Donalds in state campaign funding

It’s an indication the Democratic candidates are receiving more small-dollar donations.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 21, 2026September 21, 2026

David Jolly says a complete ban on data centers in Florida should be ‘on the table’

Democratic gubernatorial candidate had said he’d issue a year-long moratorium if elected governor. Now he’s going beyond that.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

Florida residents are raising the alarms over data centers and AI. Where do Byron Donalds and David Jolly stand?

Democrat wants a moratorium on any data centers for a year; Republican says he’ll leave it up to local governments to make that decision.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

‘Republicans for Jolly’ effort launches in St. Petersburg

They include a Florida 2026 gubernatorial candidate, a former Reagan and Bush official, and a Manatee County commissioner.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

Tampa Tiger Bay says Byron Donalds dropped out of one-on-one event with David Jolly, his campaign says it was never confirmed

Both men said their campaigns are in the beginning stages of planning debates that definitely will happen sometime in the next eight weeks.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

A photograph by Dave Decker showing former U.S. Rep. David Jolly speaking at 1920 Ybor in Ybor City, Florida, on August 17, 2026. Captured in a half-length portrait against a large, textured American flag backdrop, Jolly stands smiling toward the audience behind two microphones on a stand. He wears a dark navy blazer over an open-collared white dress shirt, illuminated by soft stage lighting.

Republican Byron Donalds and alleged liberal David Jolly will compete to be Florida’s next governor

The result was somewhat predictable, but the primary ended the early part of a campaign season that has been punctuated by some unusual side stories.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

Outspent and outnumbered: At Ybor City rally, David Jolly makes his case for winning Florida

“Byron Donalds has spent more than $50 million dollars and his number are getting worse.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 18, 2026August 18, 2026

Photos: Hillsborough Democrats gather for annual gala, after keynote speaker cancels over AIPAC comments

The Hillsborough Dem’s annual event still featured Nikki Fried, David Jolly, and Kathy Castor.

by Colin Wolf and Dave Decker August 10, 2026August 10, 2026

A wide, eye-level, indoor photograph of a political campaign rally at The Woman’s Club in South Tampa. In the foreground, from behind, gubernatorial candidate David Jolly (in a dark suit) and Lieutenant Governor candidate Rep. Gwen Graham (in a vibrant pink blazer) stand side-by-side on a stage, facing a crowd of supporters. Graham has their right hand placed affectionately on Jolly’s back. The crowd in front of them is cheering, with many supporters holding up blue and white campaign signs that read 'JOLLY GRAHAM FOR FLORIDA.' The venue is decorated with warm overhead lighting and chandeliers, creating a festive, energized atmosphere.

Photos: David Jolly supporters pack Tampa Women’s Center

The former Republican leads Democrats in fundraising with $6 million.

by Ray Roa June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Political rally at the Florida State Capitol featuring supporters holding "Jolly Graham for Florida" campaign signs under moss-covered oak trees.

Florida Democratic frontrunner David Jolly picks Gwen Graham as gubernatorial running mate

Jolly served in Congress from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican, became an independent for six years, and then switched to the Democratic Party in April 2025.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

Former Florida Congressman David Jolly speaking into a microphone at a town hall meeting or political event with an attentive audience in the background.

Florida Democrat David Jolly wants an Office of Civil Rights in the Governor’s Office

His comments came as DeSantis has applied a sledgehammer to vestiges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the state.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Close-up of high-quality medical marijuana flower buds with orange hairs and green trichomes, isolated on a white background, representing Pennsylvania-grown cannabis.

Just one candidate running for Florida governor supports recreational marijuana

Democrat David Jolly says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

A medium-shot photo of a man in a navy suit speaking into a red-tipped microphone, sitting next to another man in glasses and a tie, with a large American flag visible behind them.

David Jolly campaign says its raised more than $3 million in race to be Florida governor

That number pales in comparison to the $40 million Republican Byron Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign announced last month.

by Mitch Perry January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Tampa Bay’s biggest stories of 2025

It was a hard, weird year of news.

by Selene San Felice and Ray Roa December 26, 2025December 26, 2025

A close-up shot of two people engaged in conversation or an interview at a political rally. One individual is speaking emphatically while the other is listening intently, framed by large campaign signs.

David Jolly appears with Gwen Graham in St. Pete, sparking talk about his gubernatorial running mate

Progressive critics see a Jolly-Graham ticket as ‘a pathetic retreat, not a step forward.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A medium-shot photo of a man in a navy suit speaking into a red-tipped microphone, sitting next to another man in glasses and a tie, with a large American flag visible behind them.

Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial candidates commit to appointing scientists or conservationists to wildlife commission

Five out of seven current commissioners have ties to the development industry.

by Noah Bookstein November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

In Ybor City, Florida Democrats prepare to battle DeSantis’ immigration ‘political theater’

Not all attendees were happy to wait until November.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 20, 2025September 1, 2025

Recently-converted Democrat David Jolly among those coming to Tampa town hall on immigration

The candidate for governor is at the Cuban Club on Tuesday.

by Ray Roa August 18, 2025September 1, 2025