Florida Politics
Jolly Picks Up Two Major Endorsements: Alex Sink and Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Tracie Davis
The former Florida CFO and the Jacksonville educator-turned-senator both cite affordability, public education, and a coalition-building approach as reasons for backing the independent candidate for governor.
David Jolly’s campaign for Florida governor gained significant momentum Sunday with back-to-back endorsements from two prominent figures in Florida Democratic politics: Alex Sink, former state Chief Financial Officer and the 2010 Democratic nominee for governor, and State Sen. Tracie Davis, the incoming leader of Florida Senate Democrats.
The dual announcements, both dated June 8, underscore Jolly’s strategy of assembling a broad, cross-partisan coalition to challenge the Republican establishment in Tallahassee.
Sink: ‘He Will Confront the Corruption Rampant in Tallahassee’
Sink made her endorsement from St. Petersburg, saying she has spent the past year getting to know Jolly and watching him campaign across Florida.
“David Jolly is the leader we need to elect as our next governor. He will attack critical problems: the rising cost of housing, high insurance and utility rates, and—most especially—he will confront the corruption rampant in Tallahassee among special interests.”
— Alex Sink
Sink served as Florida CFO from 2007 to 2011 and remains one of the last Democrats to win a statewide office in Florida. She became the first woman nominated for governor by a major party in Florida when she ran in 2010. She cited Jolly’s cross-partisan outreach as a key factor in her decision.
“David has traveled our entire state, attracting large audiences, and listening to the concerns of Floridians from diverse perspectives—Democrats, Independents, and Republicans,” Sink said. “As Florida’s former Chief Financial Officer, I want a governor who will hold Tallahassee accountable for spending our precious taxpayer dollars.”
Jolly responded warmly, saying Sink “has earned the trust and respect of people across the political spectrum because she leads with integrity, focuses on results, and never loses sight of who she’s serving.”
Davis: ‘He Listens First and Brings People Together’
Sen. Davis announced her support from Jacksonville, where she has represented constituents in the Florida Legislature for a decade. A former special education teacher, Davis was elected to the Florida House in 2016 and the Florida Senate in 2022. She currently serves as Senate Democratic Leader Pro Tempore and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and is slated to become the full Senate Democratic Leader for 2026–2028.
“David Jolly understands those challenges and is offering serious solutions. He isn’t focused on the political fights that dominate so much of the conversation today. He’s focused on helping people build better lives.”
— Sen. Tracie Davis
Davis framed her endorsement around what she called a broader moment of leadership for the state.
“We are living through a time when too many people feel unheard, left behind, or pushed to the margins,” Davis said. “I’ve watched David build relationships and earn support in communities across Florida because he listens first and brings people together around shared values. That’s the kind of leadership our state needs.”
Jolly credited Davis’s record as an educator and community advocate: “Whether it’s the classroom, in her Jacksonville community, or in the Florida Legislature, she’s always focused on helping people succeed.”
A Growing Coalition
The two endorsements add to what the campaign says is now more than 100 public officials and Democratic leaders backing Jolly. The list includes:
- Gwen Graham — former Congresswoman and Democratic gubernatorial candidate
- Donna Shalala — former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
- State Senators Tina Polsky, Shevrin Jones, and Brian Nathan
- State Rep. Emily Gregory
