Most of the Never-Trump Republicans have quietly faded away.
But there are a few who are still pushing their anti-Trump grift on unsuspecting voters.
And this anti-Trump former Republican Congressman is considering a run for Florida Governor, and it is not what you think.
Former Republican Congressman and noted Never-Trumper David Jolly is now considering a run in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race, as a Democrat.
Jolly is a long-time critic of both Trump and DeSantis
Jolly told Politico in an interview published earlier this week that he would more than likely make a final decision about whether to launch a gubernatorial bid within the next few weeks.
“I am very seriously considering a run for governor,” Jolly told Politico.
Jolly is best known, not for any accomplishments, but for his longtime opposition to both Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump.
According to most political observers, it is highly unlikely that Jolly would be able to garner enough support from Floridians should he decide to launch his own gubernatorial campaign.
He has turned his back on Republicans, and Democrats see him as a newcomer, possibly not to be trusted.
And, of course, Florida overwhelmingly voted for Trump, who is also a Florida resident, for three consecutive presidential elections by larger vote margins each time.
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump secured 56.1% of Florida’s votes, while former Vice President Kamala Harris won just 43%.
But Jolly seems undeterred by these numbers and his lack of a statewide base of support.
“It’s clear to me there is a coalition of Floridians that want change,” Jolly told Politico.
It is shaping up to be a hot race
Jolly is likely to face intense competition if he enters the race to replace term-limited DeSantis.
First, he would have to get through a Democrat primary, which will be no easy task for the former GOP Congressman.
Then, should he become the Democrat nominee, he would face either Congressman Byron Donalds or current First Lady Casey DeSantis in the November general election.
President Trump has already endorsed Donalds, who confirmed in February that he will be running for governor.
Meanwhile, the wildly popular Casey DeSantis has signaled that she is considering launching her own bid in Florida’s gubernatorial race.
Jolly announced that both he and his wife were leaving the Republican Party in 2018 after he served Florida’s 13th Congressional District from 2014-2017.
The former Congressman has publicly criticized Trump for several years.
The low point of this criticism came in August of last year when he expressed concern during an appearance on MSNBC over the possibility that his young daughter might have to live through a second Trump presidency.
Jolly could find a home in the Democrat Party, as they have been struggling to find a cohesive message since their devastating electoral defeat last November.
And recent surveys have shown that Democrat lawmakers are currently viewed unfavorably by the majority of their constituents.
Recently, the Democrat Party’s approval rating dropped to just 29%, marking a new record low, according to a CNN poll released on March 16.
Could Jolly be the one who brings Florida Democrats together?
The Florida gubernatorial election is set to take place on Nov. 3, 2026 – we will find out then.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
