Harris Campaign Stop in Florida Exposes Jolly's 'Moderate' Facade

Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly has rolled out the welcome mat for former Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that undercuts his carefully crafted image as a moderate who can appeal beyond the Democratic base. Jolly said he would welcome Harris to campaign with him in the Sunshine State, even claiming she 'should have beaten Donald Trump' in the 2024 presidential election.

The invitation puts Harris back on the trail in a state where she lost to President Donald Trump by more than 13 percentage points. According to the Associated Press, Harris received just 43% of the Florida vote in 2024, while Trump captured 56.1%.

Why Jolly's Harris Invitation Raises Eyebrows

Jolly has spent months presenting himself as a different kind of Democrat, one who can win over independent and even Republican voters. But his embrace of Harris, one of the most polarizing figures in national politics, tells a different story. Harris is closely associated with left-wing positions on guns, healthcare, and abortion, many of which Jolly has also embraced to varying degrees.

During an appearance on CBS Miami's 'Facing South Florida,' Jolly said he would welcome Harris and 'anyone' from the national Democratic Party to campaign alongside him. He also praised Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, saying her campaign brings 'enthusiasm' to Democratic voters.

Jolly's Left-Wing Evolution on Guns

Jolly's political transformation has been dramatic. He left the GOP in 2018, spent years as an independent, and later joined the Democratic Party. On guns, his change has been particularly pronounced.

In a 2023 MSNBC interview, Jolly said, 'You can say I don't agree with the Second Amendment. Maybe I don't. I don't care,' and argued that America needed to 'crush the culture of guns.' He has since advocated for licensing, registration, and insurance requirements for firearms, universal background checks, and an assault-weapons ban.

Government Takeover of Insurance and Healthcare

Jolly's healthcare and insurance proposals call for a significant government role in the private economy. He has proposed a state catastrophic insurance fund that would remove natural-disaster risks from the private insurance market. His campaign says the proposal would reduce property and automobile insurance costs, while critics have characterized the plan as effectively shifting hurricane risk onto the state.

The similarities with Harris extend into healthcare. Harris's 2020 presidential campaign centered on 'Medicare for All.' In 2019, she co-sponsored Sen. Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All legislation, which would have established a national health insurance program. During her presidential campaign, Harris also said, 'Let's eliminate all of that' when discussing the role of private insurance in healthcare. Jolly has similarly argued that government needs to step in when private markets cannot provide affordable coverage.

Jolly's Stance on Illegal Immigration

Jolly has also said he supports in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students, a position he defended after Florida repealed its previous policy allowing undocumented students to receive the benefit. That would represent a different approach from the one pursued by Florida Republicans in recent years, who have backed tighter restrictions on undocumented immigrants and greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Jolly has said he would not require Florida law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration-enforcement agreements.

Abortion, Religion, and DEI Positions

On abortion, Jolly has said his position changed from the one he held as a Republican and that abortion rights should be protected by law. His campaign says he would seek legislation protecting abortion access.

Jolly has also embraced positions on religious and transgender issues that place him on the other side of several policies adopted by Floridians. Jolly previously said, 'Jesus is a loving God who would support the trans community and be proud of their bravery and the struggle that they have gone through for recognition and equity.'

The political overlap is clearer on DEI. Jolly has repeatedly defended diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and has argued that Democrats should not retreat from the issue. He has said that Florida should 'return to a state university system that believes in diversity and equity and inclusion,' and he has proposed creating an Office of Civil Rights within the governor's office to investigate disparities involving voting rights, healthcare, and education.

That would mark a significant shift from the direction Florida has taken recently. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited and will leave office in January, signed legislation in 2023 barring public universities from using state or federal funds for DEI programs, and in April 2026 signed legislation aimed at eliminating DEI programs at the local-government level.

Jolly's Alliance with Democratic Socialists

Jolly's relationship with the Democratic Party's left flank is also visible in his treatment of Angie Nixon, the Democratic Socialists of America member who won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Jolly has rejected socialism and said he is a capitalist, but he has also campaigned alongside Nixon and called her 'a fighter.' He has said they have different approaches while emphasizing areas where they agree, including housing, healthcare, and the role government can play when the private sector fails to provide.

What This Means for the Florida Governor's Race

Jolly is set to face off with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the Florida gubernatorial election. Donalds has been seen as the favorite, but last month the Cook Political Report downgraded his odds from 'Solid R' to 'Likely R.' Polls since the August 18 primaries have fluctuated heavily, with Democratic-aligned surveys showing Jolly narrowly ahead and others showing a tie. The most recent, a Stetson University Poll released Wednesday, found Donalds leading 51% to 39%.

The embrace comes as Harris is attempting to rebuild her political profile ahead of the 2026 midterms while considering another presidential campaign in 2028. Harris has had a mixed reception from Democrats on the campaign trail. Democratic candidates in Iowa, Alaska, and Kansas have publicly declined or distanced themselves from her involvement, while Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) have welcomed her.

Florida would be a very different setting from some of those races. While both Michigan and Georgia were quite close in the 2024 election, Florida is a different case entirely, with Trump winning the state by a wide margin.

For Iowa voters watching the national landscape, the Florida race offers a clear example of the choice facing voters in 2026: a candidate who embraces the left-wing national agenda, or one who stands for conservative principles of limited government, individual liberty, and public safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is David Jolly?

David Jolly is the Democratic nominee for governor in Florida. He is a former Republican who left the GOP in 2018, spent years as an independent, and later joined the Democratic Party. He has embraced left-wing positions on guns, healthcare, abortion, and immigration.

Why is Kamala Harris campaigning in Florida?

Harris is attempting to rebuild her political profile ahead of the 2026 midterms while considering another presidential campaign in 2028. Democratic nominee David Jolly has invited her to campaign with him in Florida.

What are the latest polls in the Florida governor's race?

A Stetson University Poll released Wednesday found Republican nominee Byron Donalds leading Jolly 51% to 39%. Other polls have shown a closer race or a tie.

How did Florida vote in the 2024 presidential election?

President Donald Trump won Florida by more than 13 percentage points in 2024, receiving 56.1% of the vote compared to Harris's 43%.