Lobbyist–turned-Congressman– turned political commentator David Jolly is moving closer to launching a campaign for Governor of Florida.Jolly first teased the prospect of a state-wide campaign a month ago with well-placed news stories about his political aspirations.

Just this week, POLITICO Florida announced Jolly had officially joined the Florida Democrat Party, along with the formation of a new political committee and a key hire for Team Jolly.

The former Congressman is exploring the prospect of running for Governor under the banner of “Florida 2026” – a political committee established earlier this week.

The POLITICO article also announces the addition of Eric Hyers, a seasoned Democrat operative who has found success electing left-of-center Governors in red states.  Most recently, Hyers helped guide Democrat Governor Andy Beshear to a 5-point victory in Kentucky, a state Donald Trump won by 30 points in 2024.

Insiders speculate that Jolly’s campaign team will include Max Goodman, a Sarasota-based consultant and ad maker, and long-time confidant of Jolly.  Goodman, and his older brother Adam Goodman, were key players in Jolly’s congressional campaigns and his short-lived run for US Senate in 2016.

Jolly was first elected to Congress in 2014, following the death of longtime Congressman Bill Young.  Once a model for Republicans who could win in battleground seats, Jolly ultimately found himself at odds with Republican House leaders after he worked with 60 Minutes to sneak hidden cameras into the National Republican Congressional Committee headquarters.

Jolly ran for reelection to Congress in 2016 and was defeated by former Florida Governor, and notorious party switcher, Charlie Crist.  Since leaving Congress, Jolly has been a fixture on MSNBC offering political commentary critical of President Donald Trump and Republicans in general.  He also holds the title of Executive Vice President at Tampa-based lobbying firm Shumaker Advisors.

While Jolly’s ambitions are coming into focus, his pathway is less clear. Crist tried and failed twice to earn the state’s trust and confidence after changing parties.  Time will tell if Jolly and his political team are able to achieve what Charlie Crist couldn’t.