Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly received endorsements Wednesday from three former Democratic members of Congress as he continues his campaign for governor in 2026.
The endorsements came from Gwen Graham, Donna Shalala and Karen Thurman, all of whom cited Jolly’s background in public office and his positions on government reform, affordability, and environmental issues.
Graham, who represented Florida’s 2nd Congressional District from 2015 to 2017 and was a candidate for governor in 2018, pointed to Jolly’s prior work on environmental protection.
“I’m proud to support David Jolly for Governor to end 28 years of one-party rule in Tallahassee,” she said. “In Congress, David and I worked together to ban oil drilling in the Gulf and restore Apalachicola Bay. Bringing together the entire Florida delegation to protect our state’s land and water, we formed a close friendship we still share today. David is laser-focused on tackling the affordability crisis that’s hurting families across our state—from skyrocketing housing costs to out-of-control insurance rates. And, as Governor, David will fight to support students, families, and teachers by building a strong public education system in Florida.”
Shalala, who served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and later represented South Florida in Congress, said Jolly “understands that working families are being crushed by the high cost of living, housing, and health care, and he has the experience and vision to lead with effective, people-first solutions.”
Thurman, a former North Florida congresswoman and former chair of the Florida Democratic Party, said Jolly “has a clear and thoughtful plan to address the challenges many Floridians face.”
Jolly served in Congress from 2014 to 2017, representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District as a Republican. During his time in office, he introduced legislation to prohibit members of Congress from personally soliciting campaign contributions. He left the Republican Party in 2018 and joined the Forward Party before registering as a Democrat in April 2025. He formally launched his gubernatorial campaign in June.
In a statement, Jolly said the endorsements reflect growing support for his gubernatorial campaign.
“We’re building a team to tackle the affordability crisis in Florida. It’s an honor to have three of Florida’s most experienced and distinguished leaders collaborating to solve this crisis together,” he said. “My deepest thanks to my friend Gwen, Secretary Shalala, and Congresswoman Thurman for their continued service and their support.”
