TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — 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.

One of the leading candidates in the Democratic primary for governor, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, appeared on “This Week in South Florida” on Sunday alongside his newly announced running mate, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham.

“This decision was made because I know he has the best ideas to take Florida forward,” Graham said on “This Week in South Florida”. “That’s something that’s incredibly important to me.”

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.

During the interview, Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg asked how the ticket plans to appeal to progressive Democrats.

“I did want to send a message to this state, but it’s not about ideology,” Jolly said. “I’m choosing a governing partner capable of leading this state as governor.”

On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds remains a leading contender and has secured an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

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’s criteria for qualifying for a debate at its annual summer gathering in South Florida through polling and fundraising benchmarks.

“If you can’t be on the stage with your fellow Republicans, how can you possibly defend the free state of Florida,” Renner said.

“I’m willing to fight, I’m willing to do what I have to do to earn this,” Collins said.

Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power defended the process during his appearance on “This Week in South Florida,” saying candidates will still have an opportunity to address voters directly.

“All the candidates agreed to this criteria to begin with,” Power said. “We’ve offered them a stage, a showdown to present their case directly to our voters.”

Meanwhile, one of Jolly’s top Democratic rivals, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, recently dropped out of the race after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Florida’s Democratic and Republican primaries are scheduled for mid-August. The winners will advance to the general election in November.

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