Citing Special Election ‘history,’ Shevrin Jones goes all in for David Jolly

Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Shevrin Jones is endorsing David Jolly for Governor following two Special Election victories this week that saw Democrats flip Republican seats.

Jones said those wins suggest potential trouble ahead for Republicans in the November Midterms.

“Florida just made history. We showed that by being united and mission-focused, working families can once again be the tip of the spear in shaping our future. A Democrat just flipped Trump’s own backyard — and in Hillsborough County, a vastly outspent Democrat flipped a seat by less than 400 votes. That’s not a fluke. That’s a Florida that is waking up,” Jones said.

He’s referring to Special Elections in Senate District 14 and House District 87. In HD 87, Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples, putting a Democrat in the Palm Beach County-based seat for the first time this century. In SD 14, Brian Nathan flipped the Tampa-area seat, defeating Republican Josie Tomkow and putting the district back in the blue column for the first time since Janet Cruz lost the seat in 2022.

Jones said he’s proud to offer his endorsement, noting “our moment is now to grow the energy and make clear we are fighting for Floridians who’ve had enough.”

“I’ve watched David closely. And what I’ve seen is a man of deep conviction who left his party not for political convenience, but because he refused to be part of what is being done to this country and to our state,” Jones said.

In both Special Election victories for Democrats on Tuesday, Democrats won despite voter turnout that heavily favored Republicans. That indicates the victories came with support from both independents and some Republican voters, signaling an electoral mood that could help Democrats claw back seats in the state Legislature, Congress and, as Jolly hopes, the Governor’s mansion.

Voter registration still favors Republicans by well over 1 million voters and Jolly’s path is still a difficult one. Nevertheless, the party is motivated by Tuesday’s shocking results — particularly in SD 14, where Nathan faced a massive funding disadvantage.

“Democrats, independents, and fed-up Republicans are all living through the same affordability crisis — rising insurance rates, skyrocketing housing costs, and a one-party rule that has turned its back on working families. David Jolly is running to fix that. And last night proved that Floridians across the political spectrum are ready for that kind of change,” Jones said, calling for unity in the party.

“This is not the time for division within our coalition. It is the time to build one. David can lead that coalition — one that looks like Florida, fights for Florida, and wins in November,” he added.

Both Jolly and his Primary opponent, Jerry Demings, offered words of optimism following Tuesday’s elections, with Jolly saying “it’s clear, change is here.”

“Florida’s voters are asking Democrats to dig our state out of an economic crisis and to return our state to basic decency,” he said.

And Demings likewise said “there is an appetite for change,” boldly declaring that “Democrats can and will win in the Sunshine State.”

There hasn’t been a poll since Tuesday’s elections, but previous polls mostly show both Jolly and Demings trailing GOP gubernatorial front-runner Byron Donalds, with a University of North Florida Opinion Research Lab survey earlier this month showing both Democrats at 36% support, with Donalds polling at 42% against Jolly and 43% against Demings.

But a late February James Madison Institute poll supports Jolly’s assertion that Floridians are looking for help as the state grapples with an ongoing affordability crisis. The survey found 92% of respondents have experienced increased living expenses. While the poll largely tested Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to eliminate most property taxes for homesteaded property owners, its findings on Floridians feeling the financial crunch supports the notion that Democrats have a policy lane on which to run.

Jolly announced his bid for Governor last June, after he had been mulling a run since March. Jolly, a former Republican, wasn’t registered as a Democrat until April. Prior to that he had been an independent since 2018, a move he made amid frustration with President Donald Trump’s MAGA conservatism.

Jolly’s platform aims to address aspects that Republican voters value, including property tax relief and reform, property insurance reforms, ongoing access to educational choice, and affordable health care. His platform addresses the pocketbook issues that are suffocating Floridians.

Part of his campaign strategy centers on attracting what Jolly describes as “soft Republicans,” as well as independents. That’s a strategy proven possibly by Tuesday’s election results.

“A new coalition is emerging in Florida. These groundbreaking elections show it, and so does our campaign,” Jolly said, thanking Jones for his support as “a remarkable leader and a remarkable person.”