Barack Obama endorses David Jolly for Florida governor in a video supporting the Democratic nominee ahead of the November 3 election. The former president highlighted housing costs, healthcare and education while urging Floridians to back Jolly against Republican nominee Byron Donalds.
The endorsement was public by October 24, when Jolly’s campaign dated its announcement. A USA TODAY Network report said the video had aired on MSNOW the previous evening, October 23. The campaign webpage carries an October 25 publication label.
“Elections are about who will fight for you. And, in this election, it’s David Jolly,” Obama said, according to the campaign’s published statement.
Obama Endorses David Jolly With an Affordability Message
In the campaign’s endorsement announcement, Obama described Jolly as independently minded and focused on reducing housing and healthcare costs. He also emphasized education and praised the candidate’s willingness to challenge corruption and special interests.
Those descriptions represent Obama’s endorsement of Jolly’s record and priorities. The message closes by asking Florida voters to choose political change and support Jolly for governor.
The video also recalls Obama’s two presidential victories in Florida. WFLA’s report, republished by AOL, identifies those wins as the 2008 and 2012 elections.
Independent coverage from WFLA and The Capitolist corroborates the endorsement. Both outlets reported that Obama delivered his support through a video message.
Jolly’s Campaign Emphasizes Insurance, Healthcare and Schools
Jolly is a former Republican member of Congress who is now running as a Democrat. His campaign biography identifies him as an attorney and fifth-generation Floridian who launched his gubernatorial bid in June 2025.
The biography lists homeowner’s insurance reform, expanded primary healthcare services and investment in community public schools among his priorities. It also describes his earlier work on campaign-finance reform and other issues while serving in Congress.
His current campaign website places housing, healthcare, education and opposition to data centers prominently in its issue navigation. A closing campaign letter describes conversations with voters and presents the election as a choice about Florida’s direction.
As Obama endorses David Jolly, the campaign is promoting both that support and its own policy agenda. The former president’s message adds a prominent Democratic voice to those priorities without providing a detailed financing or implementation plan for them.
National Figures Join the Florida Governor’s Contest
Obama joins former President Bill Clinton in supporting Jolly. USA TODAY Network reported that Clinton had appeared with Jolly in Broward County three days before its October 24 endorsement report.
Jolly’s running mate is former congresswoman Gwen Graham. The campaign’s announcement also lists support from former Attorney General Eric Holder, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Jim Clyburn.
Republicans have their own presidential backing in the contest. WFLA reported that President Donald Trump campaigned in Florida for Donalds and Republican Sen. Ashley Moody on the Friday before Obama’s support became public.
Obama separately endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, Moody’s opponent. That was a different video and a different race from his endorsement of Jolly.
The endorsements establish which candidates those political figures support. They do not measure how many voters have changed their minds or establish who will win either election.
Florida Voters Face November 3 Election Deadline
Florida’s Department of State says all counties offer early voting from October 24 through October 31, with some providing additional days. Voters should check their county’s schedule and locations.
The deadline to request a mailed ballot was October 22. The department says vote-by-mail ballots generally must arrive by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day, with an exception for overseas military ballots.
Election Day polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Voters already in line at closing can vote, and Election Day voters must use their assigned polling place. The governor’s contest will be decided in the November 3 general election.
