David Jolly, a former U.S. congressman running for Florida governor as a Democrat, addressed attendees at the Florida Democratic Party’s Leadership Blue conference in Orlando on Saturday, urging Democrats to win the November gubernatorial race and criticizing Republican Rep. Byron Donalds.

The three‑day Leadership Blue conference, held at Disney World, featured speeches from Jolly and his running mate, Lt. Gov. candidate Gwen Graham, as well as remarks from other Democratic figures.

Jolly said that if the election were held immediately the Democrats would win, drawing applause from the crowd. He warned that continued control by the same interests that have dominated Tallahassee for 30 years would prevent change, and described Donalds as a “vessel” for deep‑pocketed interests, saying Donalds had chosen to be “bought.” He also noted that Donalds supports data centers and for‑profit schools.

Jolly, who previously served as a Republican, said the problem in politics is not switching parties but refusing to change, and asserted his home is now the Democratic Party. He said Democrats must attract independent voters and disaffected Republicans, acknowledging that Florida’s registered‑voter advantage belongs to Republicans.

Graham introduced Jolly, noting her lifelong affiliation with the Democratic Party and joking about Jolly’s claim that she was a Democrat “in the womb,” which drew laughter. Jolly added that math is math, referring to the registration numbers.

The conference highlighted the need for a broader coalition to defeat the incumbent party in November, with Jolly emphasizing coalition building and the practical realities of Florida’s electoral landscape.