Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly promises to “hire young people” and bring Gen Z into the EOG if he wins in November.
“We can never give voice and improve policy outcomes if we don’t have more people at the table. And so I do think we have to create those opportunities,” he said during a Gen Z Town Hall on Sunday.
The former Congressman from Pinellas County said that he and his running mate, Gwen Graham, “know if young people can look at this campaign and see themselves and see opportunities, we will have done our part in building a new coalition.”
Beyond bringing younger people into the administration, they also believe their moderate approach to politics will lift young people and everyone else.
“A large reason I joined this campaign is because I know that what David and I are talking about will provide a Florida that will be a state that young people can stay in and raise their children in, have a great job in, enjoy the environment in,” Graham said. “I honestly do believe that what has happened with government in this state is counter to what a positive environment is to live in. And I think David and I will bring a positive feeling about the state and the people and really wanting to help people that will filter down and create a more positive feeling across the state of Florida with everyone who lives here.”
“I think people are so tired of the culture wars and the negativity. Uh, it does not, it’s not normal. It’s not how people live normally is to live in this state of conflict. So I really do believe that with our election on Nov. 3, there will be a collective exhale, and a relief felt, and not just for Gen Z, but for the state of Florida and the people of Florida,” Graham added.
Jolly spoke on the importance of “ending the culture wars,” noting that they lead to “generational biases” that young people lack the “patience and tolerance” to perpetuate.
“We often say culture wars have victims, and they do. Part of ending the culture wars is standing up for the rights and the dignity of Black and brown communities and our LGBTQ+ community and others across the state who have felt marginalized and their rights infringed upon. Young people also are pretty intolerant of the culture wars,” Jolly added.
“I want to stand up on election night and say to the world on behalf of the state that launched culture wars, we apologize. We want you to live here. We want you to call Florida home. We want you to find a job here. We want you to visit. We want your neighbors and friends to come. So, I do think just using that vision of leadership of a place where everybody is welcome and celebrated is something young people understand.”
