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David Jolly, Democratic Candidate For Governor, Holds Molino Town Hall
October 28, 2025
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is the first to admit that you would not typically expect to see a Democrat campaigning for governor in Molino; which traditionally votes Republican. But he spoke to about 60 people Monday night at the Molino community center.
“A lot of people are saying we haven’t seen a gubernatorial candidate in Molino,” Jolly said. “We’ll get used to it, because this isn’t going to be our only trip; we are going to be back and back and back…because someone has to be a governor for the entire state, not just a political party, not just for one part of the state, but the entire state.”
Jolly is a former Republican and considered to be the front-runner among Democrats who are running for Florida governor. He served as a Republican in the U.S. House from 2014 to 2017 in Florida’s 13th district.
“The state of Florida is going to choose a new direction, and it doesn’t have to be rooted in deep partisanship to simply say we are going in the wrong direction, that we’ve gotten away from the values that we hold dear, and we need to reset.”
For more photos, click to enlarge.
He added that he does not look at voter registration when he goes into a community.
He likened his campaign to that of Democratic Lawton Chiles, who in 1970 started a 1,000-mile walking tour of the state in Century on the way to winning a seat in the U.S. Senate. Jolly said he’s made 108 campaign stops so far on his way to visiting every community in the state.
And he said he’s not a stranger to Molino—visiting churches in the area when his father, Rev. Lawson Jolly, was with the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association in the 1990s.
“I speak openly about my faith,” he said. “I think we need more Democrats that speak openly about their faith…I say it not to evangelize.”
“In a state that has become the home of culture wars rooted in faith, I think this state needs a governor that understands the governor’s personal and private faith stops at the steps to the State House.”
The Pinellas County resident added that it is important for voters to realize that they can vote Democratic, regardless of their party registration. He said he is focusing on making Florida an affordable place for everyone, with job growth and lower insurance rates.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
21 Responses to “David Jolly, Democratic Candidate For Governor, Holds Molino Town Hall”
If Not Us, the organizer of this event, is a nonpartisan community group focused on building connection, finding solutions, and helping one another through mutual aid. Voting strictly along party lines is what got us into this mess.
We invited all of our elected federal representatives to attend. David Jolly is the only one who showed up for our community.
This event was about creating space for conversation, not promoting any one politician or party. We did not keep Republicans from showing up — the door was open to everyone.
Please don’t make assumptions — our group includes people of all political affiliations. We don’t care how you’re registered or how you’ve voted in the past. What matters is simple: are you a good person who wants to make a difference?
The later day robber barons are running things now. It’s time for a change!
@David Huie Green; President Trump is not perfect, but he is an infinite improvement over his predecessor.
I am old enough to remember America, as it was before they murdered President JFK; before Lyndon Ben Johnson.
When it comes to my values, I will choose the lesser evil; for the greater good
“are seeing what their leadership is doing to once great towns and cities (Portland , New York, Los Angeles Seattle etc”
You confused me. I thought you were talking about trashing the White House, fantasizing taking a dump on America, pardoning convicted scammers and violent minions, firing honest workers, murdering suspects without justification or even submitted proof of guilt, shutting down basic medical research which might save millions. taking bribes left and right, refusing to obey the oath of office, withholding medicine and food from children, using government to punish personal enemies, and the list goes on.
Turned out you were talking about the proven lies untethered to reality. Donald is a poor deity to worship.
You can have your own personal faith while respecting the faith/lack of, that others have. You can’t force faith into American politics, it will unravel democracy as we know it. He respects the separation of church and state that this country was built on, the concept of religious freedom. Investing in education and our youth’s future is something the current governor doesn’t seem to be worried about. Let’s just get along, be logical, and plan for the future. Live and let live. Jesus taught a message of peace and love… as a person of faith, should you not embrace those same values? As cliche as it is, WWJD.
I’m good.
i am getting all the things i voted for, no need to turn blue now!
@Bobby Joe
I agree with you. All of this ‘blue team vs red team’ stuff is getting exhausting. I agree with democrats on certain issues and republicans on others. I’m not loyal to any party, and when I vote I look at all of the issues and weigh them out.
Bobby Joe said it just right!!!
“This state needs a governor that understands the governor’s personal and private faith stops at the steps to the State House”.
After saying he speaks openly about his faith. I don’t want a governor whose faith stops anywhere.
As a registered Republican, I hope he wins.
I’m so tired of Radical Left this and Radical Right that. What happened to moderate democrats and republicans? The ones who could agree to disagree? What happened to compromise? It doesn’t always have to be knives at each others throats over simple opinions. It’s healthy to have a differing opinion now and then. Helps us from existing in these weird little bubbles and echoing thought chambers. We’re not all the same, but we have a LOT of common ground. We’ve forgotten that and traded it for vitriol and the need to “other” anyone who isn’t exactly like us. We stopped trying to help our neighbors and friends and started seeing them as enemies and adversaries on every corner.
Please, don’t believe everything the media tells you about Democrats or Republicans. The media makes money off dissention and fear breeds improved ratings. Just talk to these people and you might realize they’re human beings too and though they might disagree on some points, we probably agree on a lot more than we think.
Good for him for making the effort. It’s a good thing to engage with voters face to face to help stop the nonsense from culture wars and non-existent issues like some mentioned below.
OMG
Amen Sam
Say no to the other party . We are seeing what their leadership is doing to once great towns and cities (Portland , New York, Los Angeles Seattle etc) please don’t allow that to happened to Century or the great state of Florida . People have spoken in November , don’t allow their small town inclusion speeches (salad) to persuade you and others to follow them . Let’s protect our region from the liberal agenda .
“Gotten away from the values that we hold dear”, excuse me ?
Florida may have gotten away from what the Democrats hold dear but I’m good where we are.
He’s already lost before he started. I’m with you, @BillT This guy just wants a job. Obviously he has no idea who he is. Beware!
@Bill T
In another time, you’d be correct. However, in the last election, Escambia went blue for CD1.
@Sam
Exactly.
wolf in sheep’s clothing.
How can he with a straight face, talk about his faith and support the Demo platform. Example of NJ and NY right now. we DO NOT WANT THAT HERE!
Anytime the Government says it wants to help, look out.
When wonderful folks move here from places where hey have destroyed they bring the destruction with them. I’m sure a few people with common sense will understand what I’m saying. The devil is a sneaky one.
The issue with him is that he carries and supports the toxic brand of the Democratic platform: boys in girls sports and locker-rooms, abortion on demand up to birth including infanticide if born alive, open borders, defund the police, and the list goes on. With a platform of this, it is hard to believe anyone of this party would get elected.
This is a very good reason this candidate won’t have a chance at winning !!! He’s a DEMOCRAT!!!! And it won’t happen because of the ideas they represent and the destruction of America and it’s been proven time and time again!!!