TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 The race to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis is heating up, and Florida voters now know who will be on the ballot in 2026.<\/p>\n
One of the leading candidates in the Democratic primary for governor, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, appeared on \u201cThis Week in South Florida\u201d on Sunday alongside his newly announced running mate, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision was made because I know he has the best ideas to take Florida forward,\u201d Graham said on \u201cThis Week in South Florida\u201d.<\/a> \u201cThat\u2019s something that\u2019s incredibly important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n The two served together in Congress about a decade ago, when Jolly was a Republican and both lawmakers were known for working across party lines as centrists.<\/p>\n During the interview, Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg asked how the ticket plans to appeal to progressive Democrats.<\/p>\n \u201cI did want to send a message to this state, but it\u2019s not about ideology,\u201d Jolly said.<\/a> \u201cI\u2019m choosing a governing partner capable of leading this state as governor.\u201d<\/p>\n On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds remains a leading contender and has secured an endorsement from President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Also running are current Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner. Both have criticized Republican Party leaders after Donalds was the only candidate to meet the party\u2019s criteria for qualifying for a debate at its annual summer gathering in South Florida through polling and fundraising benchmarks.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can\u2019t be on the stage with your fellow Republicans, how can you possibly defend the free state of Florida,\u201d Renner said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m willing to fight, I\u2019m willing to do what I have to do to earn this,\u201d Collins said.<\/p>\n