Florida’s Democratic ticket is taking shape, and it’s putting a spotlight on the ideological positions of the candidates. According to Breitbart News, former Republican-turned-Democrat David Jolly is leading the gubernatorial race, while Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Angie Nixon tops the Senate contest. Despite Jolly’s attempts to present himself as a moderate, critics point to a series of positions that align closely with the socialist agenda.
Jolly, who has openly apologized for Florida’s “culture wars” and left the state during the pandemic to stay in Pennsylvania, has been a vocal critic of Governor Ron DeSantis. His opposition to school choice, support for transgender rights for minors, and harsh words about gun culture have drawn attention from Republican opponents and conservative commentators.
Transgender Rights and Gender-Affirming Care
One of the most contentious issues is Jolly’s stance on transgender rights. He has expressed support for what advocates call “gender-affirming care” for children, a term that critics, including Breitbart, describe as “genital mutilation surgery, puberty blockers, and hormone therapy.” Jolly has called legislation protecting children from such procedures “draconian.” His position mirrors that of the DSA, which in a March press release lamented that 27 states had outlawed “gender-affirming care” for minors.
Biological Males in Women’s Sports
Jolly and the DSA both oppose bans on biological males competing in women’s sports. The DSA has complained about such bans, and Jolly has spoken positively about allowing transgender athletes to participate. This stance contrasts sharply with policies championed by many Republicans, including Governor DeSantis.
Gun Control and the Second Amendment
Perhaps most striking is Jolly’s rhetoric on guns. In a 2022 MSNBC interview following a Walmart shooting in Virginia, he said, “How do we crush the culture of guns on demand in the United States that is resulting in the tragedy and loss of lives?” The DSA, in a 2018 piece, called the Second Amendment a “threat to us all” and advocated for dismantling it.
Republicans have seized on these comments. Byron Donalds, Jolly’s Republican opponent, has repeatedly warned that Jolly is a “Trojan horse for the Democrat Socialists of America.” At a campaign stop in Sarasota, Donalds said, “Make no mistake about it. This is a guy who says it’s still ok to transgender our kids and to steal their puberty.”
Donalds also criticized Jolly’s stance on COVID-19, noting that Jolly praised Dr. Anthony Fauci, fled to Pennsylvania, and criticized DeSantis for reopening the state.
Education and Critical Race Theory
Jolly has voiced support for teaching Critical Race Theory in schools, saying it provides “authentic, honest storytelling about our history.” He made comments about the three-fifths compromise that critics say misrepresent the historical context. The DSA supports similar educational approaches as part of its broader socialist platform.
On school choice, Jolly has suggested restricting vouchers and eliminating for-profit charter schools. He said, “if you accept a voucher, that’s it. You don’t get to upcharge additional tuition. You’re going to have to provide the same exact services as our public schools are.” The DSA has called school choice a “vehicle for segregation.”
Republican Response
Gates McGavick, communications director for the Donalds campaign, told Breitbart News, “David Jolly’s fake moderate act falls apart under even basic scrutiny โ he supports key planks of the DSA’s platform and he’s eager to run alongside an avowed socialist in Angie Nixon.” He added, “In Jolly’s own words, he’s ‘moved pretty far-left’ โ now he has the running mate to prove it. Florida will send him back to the MS Now studio on November 3rd.”
Nixon, while denying she is a socialist, is a member of the DSA. Her presence on the ticket alongside Jolly has intensified the GOP’s framing of the Democratic slate as far-left.
As election day approaches, these policy positions are expected to be central to the campaign, with Republicans aiming to tie Jolly and Nixon to the most controversial elements of the progressive agenda.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/28/dem-gubernatorial-candidate-david-jolly-shares-socialist-positions-trans-rights-for-children-crushing-2nd-amendment/