Conservative farmer backs Democrat

Bobby Williams, a rural Republican who lost the GOP primary for Florida governor, is now publicly supporting Democrat David Jolly. Williams says he's choosing the person best for Floridians over party loyalty.

“It's person over party…What person is going to best represent Floridians?”

Republicans for Jolly coalition forms

A Facebook group called Republicans for Jolly has dozens of members, including current and former GOP officials. They're unhappy with nominee Byron Donalds over his support for data center development and corporate funding.

Jolly's anti-corporate stance

David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who left the party during Trump's first term, has vowed to enact a statewide moratorium on data centers and refuses corporate contributions.

Cross-party voting beyond Florida

Similar defections are happening nationwide. Iowa's Rob Sand launched a Rob-publicans campaign with over 100 Republicans, and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has 20-plus GOP endorsements.

Trump's unpopularity fueling defections

Political experts say GOP defectors are more common this year because Trump is deeply unpopular. A University of North Florida analyst called Trump a major liability for Republicans.

“The Republicans are having a bad year. Right now, Trump is a big liability.”

Jolly faces steep odds

Republicans outnumber Democrats by 1.5 million registered voters in Florida. Jolly needs strong support from independents to break a 27-year GOP winning streak in the governor's race.

But the race is tightening

Recent polls show the gubernatorial race is essentially tied, and Jolly is gaining momentum. Voter frustration over gas prices, grocery costs, and Trump's conduct is creating openings.

Williams explains his switch

Williams cited unaffordable insurance rates, developer destruction, and water pollution under Republican watch. He noted that Jolly called him while Donalds and GOP leadership ignored him after the primary.

“We're unaffordable today, our insurance rates are where they are at, developers are destroying Florida.”

City council member tired of culture wars

Austin Gravley, a Frostproof city council member and lifelong Republican, is backing Jolly because he wants to focus on kitchen table issues instead of culture war battles.

“I'm as Republican as you can get. So a lot of people are rightfully confused.”

Local control stripped away

Gravley says new Florida laws are eroding home rule, limiting what local governments can decide for their communities. He's concerned a Republican ballot amendment would slash property taxes and local funding.

“What's good for Frostproof may not be good for Miami.”

Checks and balances needed

Gravley believes divided government would be healthy and doesn't see Jolly as a radical leftist. He wants regulated data center development, not the rapid expansion Donalds supports.

“I feel like checks and balances would be healthy for our government right now.”

Vote for the better person

George Kruse, a Manatee County commissioner and co-chair of Republicans for Jolly, urges voters to focus on the individual candidate rather than party affiliation when making their choice.

“You have to vote for the better person, and sometimes that person has a different letter after their name.”