IF DAVID JOLLY IS GOING TO BECOME THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA THIS MILLENNIUM – HE’S GOING TO NEED THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT. HE SPENT FRIDAY LEARNING OUR HISTORY AND MEETING OUR LEADERS.
HE HELD A TOWNHALL AT THE PRIDE CENTER WITH THE DOLPHIN DEMOCRATS, MET WITH THE “POWER GAYS” AT A FUNDRAISER, AND TOURED THE STONEWALL MUSEUM. AFTER THAT TOUR, JOLLY SAT DOWN FOR A HALF HOUR INTERVIEW WITH ME AND OUR COLLEAGUE, STEVE ROTHAUS.
HE ADDRESSED THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: WHY SHOULD A FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN WITH LIBERTARIAN TENDENCIES BE EMBRACED BY LGBTQ?
HE TOLD ME, “I’ve been fortunate, in the year since we got into this race, to build affinity and support within the LGBTQ community from day one. When you visit the Stonewall Museum, you step into a perspective that orients this campaign in a way I want to be true to and mindful to.” .
JOLLY ALSO FACES AN ELECTORATE THAT WENT FOR DESANTIS BY 18 POINTS JUST FOUR YEARS AGO. HE SAYS FLORIDIANS WERE EMBRACING THE CULTURE WARS – BUT THEY HAVE GROWN TIRED AND HE BELIEVES THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IS RIGHT FOR HIS CANDIDACY.
SAYING “You have Democratic voters turning out in ways they never have before. You also have independents that, 18 months ago, were turning out 2-1 for Republicans. They are now performing 3-1 for Democrats. And, I think we’re going to get 18% of Republicans in this race.” .
18 PERCENT IS A HEAVY LIFT, BUT PROBABLY WHAT WILL BE NEEDED IF HE MAKES IT TO THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER. FIRST HE HAS TO GET THROUGH THE AUGUST 18 PRIMARY.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ON YOU TUBE AT @GreaterWiltonManors
