A former Republican congressman and outspoken critic of Donald Trump is running for office…but this time as a Democrat.
David Jolly on Thursday officially launched his longshot campaign for governor as a Democrat.
“Let’s end the politics of division and return Florida to voters who simply want an economy that works, the best education system in the world, safe communities, and a government that stays out of their doctors’ offices and family decisions,” Jolly said in a press release.
“This is a different type of issues-driven, results-focused campaign, and it will be driven not by anger and division but by optimism and solutions,” he continued. “We are building a new coalition of Floridians who deeply care about their state and are desperate for real answers to real problems that are putting our quality of life at risk.”
Jolly previously represented Florida’s 13th congressional district, which includes parts of the greater Tampa area, from 2014 to 2017. He lost his seat to former Gov. Charlie Crist (D), who like Jolly, left the GOP. Jolly officially left the Republican Party in 2018.
The former Republican turned Democrat will face a fierce race in the Sunshine State that has become one of the most prominent red states in the country. Trump, who is now a Florida resident, won the state by 13 points in November. Republicans have also flipped a number of traditionally Democrat strongholds, including Miami-Dade County, and hold a voter registration advantage.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), who is term-limited, defeated Crist in his 2022 reelection bid by nearly 20 points.
Jolly is the first Democrat to throw his name in the ring for governor. Former state Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Fla.) is said to be mulling an independent run after leaving the Democratic Party last month.
On the Republican side, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) officially launched his bid for governor earlier this year. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis is also rumored to be considering a bid.
Fox News contributor and former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is already looking ahead to the next presidential cycle—and her prediction underscores a growing concern on the Right: Democrats may try to mimic President Donald Trump’s political playbook after years of vilifying it.
In a promotional video shared by Fox News on X and captioned, “We asked our talent to share their predictions for 2026!”, McEnany kicked off the segment with a bold forecast. According to McEnany, Democrats—despite routinely attacking Trump’s unconventional style—are quietly preparing to copy the very strategy they once denounced.
“Happy 2026,” McEnany said. “Here’s my prediction: there will be a Democrat who tries to emulate and copy the Trump playbook—meaning they will declare their candidacy for the presidency before the end of next year.”
McEnany named California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the most likely Democrat to break with tradition and launch an early White House bid, followed closely—perhaps uncomfortably closely—by former Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I believe that Democrat will be Gavin Newsom,” McEnany continued. “And shortly thereafter—though I don’t want to scare everyone—I believe Kamala Harris will declare shortly after in 2027. We’ll see!”
Democrats Imitating Trump?
The irony of McEnany’s prediction is hard to miss. For nearly a decade, Democrats and legacy media outlets have castigated President Trump for disrupting political norms, launching early campaigns, dominating media attention, and speaking directly to voters outside traditional party structures. Yet as Republicans consolidate behind Trump-style populism, Democrats appear increasingly eager to borrow from the same rulebook—early announcements, personality-driven politics, and nonstop media exposure.
Newsom, the progressive governor of California, has long been rumored to harbor national ambitions. His frequent appearances on cable news, high-profile red-state visits, and aggressive messaging against Republican governors have fueled speculation that he is positioning himself as the Democratic Party’s next standard-bearer.
Harris, meanwhile, remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern Democratic politics. After a historically weak vice presidency marked by staff turnover, low approval ratings, and policy misfires—particularly on immigration—Harris has been cautiously testing the waters for a political comeback.
A Tense California Power Struggle
Adding intrigue to McEnany’s prediction is the longstanding rivalry between Newsom and Harris, two California Democrats whose careers have frequently intersected—and occasionally clashed.
The relationship has often been described by political observers as “frenemies.” While publicly supportive, both figures clearly view one another as obstacles on the path to higher office.
That tension surfaced last summer during Newsom’s appearance on Pod Save America, shortly after Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Asked about the abrupt switch, Newsom responded with thinly veiled sarcasm.
“We went through a very open process, a very inclusive process,” Newsom quipped. “It was bottom-up—I don’t know if you know that. That’s what I’ve been told to say!”
The remark was widely interpreted as a jab at Democratic leadership and their handling of Biden’s exit, reinforcing GOP criticisms that Democratic “democracy” often amounts to backroom decision-making.
Harris, for her part, took a swipe at Newsom in her campaign memoir 107 Days. She recalled calling Newsom to secure his support after Biden dropped out of the race—only to receive a terse text message.
“Hiking. Will call back,” Newsom reportedly replied.
“He never did,” Harris added pointedly.
Signs of a Harris Comeback?
Despite her past struggles, Harris has been making calculated moves that many Democrats—and Republicans—see as the early stages of a 2028 presidential run.
According to Axios, Harris has been “stepping toward” another campaign, citing her expanded book tour, renewed engagement with Democratic donors, and a high-profile appearance before the Democratic National Committee earlier this month.
Reporter Alex Thompson noted that after lying low for much of the year, Harris has suddenly reemerged on the national stage—raising eyebrows within her own party.
“After embarking on a 2024-focused book tour,” Thompson wrote, “Harris made several moves this week that many Democrats see as the beginnings of a 2028 campaign.”
DNC Chair Ken Martin has also offered unusually warm public praise for Harris, further fueling speculation.
Comedian and longtime liberal commentator Bill Maher told Fareed Zakaria on CNN’s GPS that he could “of course” envision voting Republican — but only if the party becomes something markedly different than what it has been.
Maher, who has been a longtime critic of Donald Trump and a traditional supporter of Democrats, laid out a number of caveats before making such a move. “They would have to certainly lose the idea of ‘we don’t concede elections,’” he said.
He added his biggest concern:
“And my biggest worry is that they feel that the excesses of the left are so great, that they are so anti‐common sense. And again, they’re not completely wrong about that — that they are so — never met something that was counterintuitive that they didn’t embrace. That they just can’t let these people take power and, therefore, even if there has to — if democracy has to be sacrificed for hanging on to power,” Maher said.
Maher also questioned the GOP’s long‐term commitment to democratic norms after Trump:
“Will they still keep that idea that we cannot let these people take power? These people who just do not have any idea of common sense, they want to reinvent everything. They are revolutionaries in a country that is not asking for [a] revolution — they’re just asking for politicians to fix things. That is my biggest concern.” He noted a hope for a “return to normalcy” after Trump — though he expressed skepticism.
At the same time, Maher acknowledged areas where he believes Trump was right:
He pointed out the border, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives, and NATO contributions. “He showed that you can close the border. It wasn’t something you needed congressional help for. You could just do it, and he did it. He just did it too far. And people don’t like to see people tackled at Home Depot and people they know who have been in this country for a long time.”
He wrapped up by hitting both parties:
“Why can’t either one be normal?” he asked rhetorically.
Why this matters for Republicans
Maher’s comments underscore a key opportunity and challenge for the GOP: there are non‐traditional voices who might vote Republican — but only if the party reaffirms core democratic norms and common‐sense governance rather than radical transformation. If Republicans continue to be associated with election denial, extreme rhetoric, or sweeping change beyond what voters ask for, they risk alienating such swing voices.
For Republican-leaning audiences focused on policy, governance, and institutional credibility, Maher’s remarks are a reminder that expanding the party’s appeal may hinge more on tone and norms than just raw policy wins.
Thor Brødreskift / Nordiske Mediedager, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Not so fast…
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is reportedly eyeing a presidential run in 2028 against de facto Trump successor Vice President JD Vance, according to the Daily Mail. However, after the report aired, Bannon wasted no time and responded to the claims on The National Pulse website, simply responding: “Trump 2028.”
Elina Shirazi, a senior political reporter focused on Trump’s foreign policy, wrote in an “exclusive” story on Thursday, “Sources close to Steve Bannon and Trump have told Daily Mail the 71-year-old War Room host has begun soliciting political advice.”
The report made clear, according to a GOP strategist, that Bannon’s planning is purely in the “contemplative stage,” but added that Bannon is concerned about a Vance run. Shirazi wrote:
One source in Bannon’s inner circle told the Daily Mail that the former strategist has privately ridiculed the prospect of Vance at the top of the ticket.
‘Love him… but Vance is not tough enough to run in 2028,’ the source said Bannon has conveyed to multiple people in his circles.
The Daily Mail noted that Bannon did not respond to the report, a claim he pushed back on in his comments to The National Pulse.
“The Daily Mail claims Bannon did not comment on the matter, but The National Pulse can also reveal that, according to Bannon himself, no request for comment was made to Bannon before the story’s publication,” noted the post on Bannon’s response.
It would hardly be Bannon’s first entrance into the world of politics. He initially ran Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign before being replaced by Kellyanne Conway. Since then, Bannon’s War Room show has been a key platform for MAGA Republicans to launch campaigns for office and has hosted countless elected Republicans.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump made his clearest endorsement yet for a future Republican presidential candidate, declaring that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” to carry the MAGA torch after his second term ends.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump described Vance as “probably the favorite” to lead the Republican Party into the next election cycle.
“He’s most likely the heir,” Trump said, referring to Vance. “He understands the movement, he understands the people, and he’s doing a phenomenal job as Vice President.”
Veteran Navy SEAL and businessman Ed Gallrein officially launched his campaign Tuesday to challenge Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s strongly Republican 4th Congressional District. With President Trump’s full endorsement, Gallrein declared:
“This district is Trump Country. The President doesn’t need obstacles in Congress – he needs backup. I’ll defeat Thomas Massie, stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump, and deliver the America First results Kentuckians voted for.”
Indeed, Trump had already thrown his weight behind Gallrein in a Truth Social post on Friday:
“I hope Ed gets into the Race against Massie, who is now polling at about 9% because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him — He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left.” “Unlike ‘lightweight’ Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
Trump’s endorsement is the latest chapter in a bitter intra-party battle. Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican, has diverged repeatedly from Trump’s agenda — most notably by breaking with the former president on major policy items, including the massive reconciliation package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and by teaming with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D–Calif.) to demand the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The split has sharpened over time into an explicit effort by Trump and his allies to unseat Massie.
Massie responded to Trump’s move by slamming Gallrein:
“After having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trump’s consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein.”
Massie enters the race with more than $2 million cash on hand for his reelection bid and reported contributions of $768,000 from July to September. That level of fundraising shows he is not backing down.
Kentucky’s 4th District is reliably Republican, meaning the winner of the GOP primary is extremely likely to win the general election. With President Trump’s base still the backbone of the party, his move to back Gallrein is a clear signal: he wants reliable allies in Congress who will advance the “America First” agenda without dissent. Massie’s independent streak—once an asset to those who prize policy purity—has now become a liability in the Trump era of the party. For Republicans concerned about unified action and legislative wins, the message is simple: stand with Trump or be replaced.
Trump is still the reigning favorite in the Sunshine State.
The most recent University of North Florida (UNF) poll sided with Trump, compared to just 21 percent for DeSantis and 6 percent for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. In a head-to-head poll, Trump leads DeSantis 59-29.
“Despite historically high approval in the polls, Governor DeSantis losing steam in his home state doesn’t bode well for his national campaign,” UNF professor Michael Binder said in a statement. “Even if you wipe out the rest of the competition in a head-to-head, Trump leads DeSantis by 20 points.”
DeSantis has struggled in Florida, losing key endorsements to Trump despite his leadershhip. A majority of Florida’s congressional delegation has supported Trump, including Sen. Rick Scott (R), who made his Trump endorsement clear last week.
“I am optimistic that we can return America to its rightful position of economic and military strength and the undisputed moral leader of the free world, but only with strong leadership in the White House,” Scott said in a Newsweek op-ed last week.
“That is why I support my friend President Donald J. Trump to be the 47th President of the United States and encourage every Republican to unite behind his efforts to win back the White House,” he added.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris suggested this weekend that she may not be finished with presidential politics — leaving open the possibility of a third White House bid in 2028, despite two failed attempts and sinking poll numbers.
“I am not done,” Harris said in an interview with the BBC, hinting that she could “possibly” still become president someday. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service and it’s in my bones,” she added while speaking with British journalist Laura Kuenssberg.
The comments mark Harris’s strongest signal yet that she’s considering another run after losing to President Trump nearly a year ago. While she hasn’t confirmed her intentions, the former Democratic nominee’s remarks come amid renewed media appearances and ongoing speculation about her political future.
Just last month, Harris told MSNBC that she wasn’t thinking about 2028 — insisting her focus was elsewhere. “That’s not my focus right now. That’s not my focus at all, it really isn’t,” she said, claiming she instead wanted to help Democrats defend vulnerable seats during the midterms.
Harris also floated the idea of running for California governor, though she later announced in July she would not seek to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, another Democrat rumored to have presidential ambitions.
Her recent memoir, 107 Days, has only fueled speculation about her next moves — and stirred frustration within her own party. The book recounts her brief 2024 campaign after President Biden dropped out of the race, including her decision to pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate and her unsuccessful fight against Trump.
In the book, Harris criticizes Biden’s decision to run for reelection, calling it “recklessness” and saying he “got tired.” The memoir’s release, followed by a high-profile media tour, has drawn mixed reviews from prominent Democrats such as Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who warn the book could divide the party further.
Despite sliding approval ratings, Harris dismissed concerns about her viability. “If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office — and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here,” she told Kuenssberg.
During her book tour, Harris has returned to attacking the Trump administration, accusing the president of “weaponizing” federal agencies and lacking “guardrails.”
“He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice — and he has done exactly that,” Harris told the BBC, citing Trump’s actions against several high-profile figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, former national security adviser John Bolton, and former FBI Director James Comey.
Harris also criticized what she described as political interference in the media — referring to the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following controversial comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. “You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists,” she said. “His skin is so thin he couldn’t endure criticism from a joke and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process.”
Who will Trump tap to serve in his administration?
Susie Wiles, a veteran political operative who worked closely with President-elect Trump during his campaign, is making history as the first female Chief of Staff.
Sources within Trump’s transition team and others close to the former president’s campaign confirmed to Fox News that Wiles was reportedly the frontrunner for White House chief of staff – the person who oversees the Executive Office of the President before Trump made the announcement on Thursday.
Trump, during his victory celebration in West Palm Beach late Tuesday night, gave special thanks to Wiles for her prominent role throughout the campaign.
“Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie [Wiles] and Chris [LaCivita], the job you did. Susie, come, Susie,” Trump said, inviting her up to the microphone, but Wiles refrained from making comments.
“Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, let me tell you. The ice baby. We call her the ice baby. Susie likes to stay in the background. She’s not in the background,” Trump added. “Thank you, Susie.”
NBC News also reported that Wiles is seen as the frontrunner to become Trump’s chief of staff. Two sources in Trump’s political orbit didn’t wave Fox News off the reporting.
Wiles currently serves as a senior adviser to Trump and his campaign co-chair alongside Chris LaCivita.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was previously floated as a possible contender for chief of staff, but recently told “The Guy Benson Show” that he would not take the position if it was offered.
“People always ask if I’m going to be chief of staff, no I’m not going to be… that’s a no,” he said.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
President Donald Trump teased the possibility of a future Republican “dream team” this week, but despite renewed speculation surrounding Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the president has made clear he has not yet chosen a favorite to carry the MAGA mantle into 2028.
Speaking to a group of law enforcement officials at the White House on Monday, Trump openly polled the crowd about who should succeed him once his second term ends.
“I don’t know. Who’s it going to be? Is it going to be JD? Is there going to be somebody else? I don’t know,” Trump said before asking attendees directly, “Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio? All right. Sounds like a good ticket.”
Applause in the room appeared louder for Vance, though Trump quickly clarified he was not offering an endorsement.
“By the way, I do believe that’s a dream team. But these are minor details. That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstance,” Trump said. “But you know … I think it sounds like presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.”
The remarks immediately fueled speculation about the shape of the 2028 Republican primary field, which is increasingly viewed as likely to revolve around Vance and Rubio — two rising stars who have become central figures in Trump’s administration and broader MAGA movement.
Trump himself has repeatedly suggested Vance is currently the favorite to inherit the movement, while also leaving the door open to Rubio playing a major role.
Last August, Trump said Vance would “most likely” be the GOP nominee in 2028.
“Well, I think most likely, in all fairness,” Trump said at the time. “He’s the vice president. I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form.”
Still, Trump stopped short of a formal endorsement then as well.
“I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here, so it’s too early obviously to talk about it,” he added. “But certainly, [Vance] is doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point.”
Rubio, for his part, publicly signaled support for Vance last year, telling Vanity Fair: “If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him.”
Yet speculation about Rubio’s own ambitions has only intensified as he has emerged as one of the administration’s most visible and influential officials, juggling a growing list of high-profile responsibilities within Trump’s orbit.
At the same time, some political observers believe the eventual 2028 field may not unfold the way many Republicans currently expect.
Political analyst Mark Halperin argued Friday that Vance and Rubio are unlikely to engage in a bruising primary battle against one another despite widespread media speculation.
“We get to what I think is driving a lot of this, besides people loving Marco Rubio — and a lot people in my sources do — is Vance,” Halperin said during his online show.
Halperin pointed to concerns among some Republicans about Vance’s public image and political style, arguing Rubio may have advantages in traditional campaign settings.
“I will say that in the next two years, as people in the party and the media are comparing Rubio and Vance side by side, I don’t think Vance can win the performance competition,” Halperin said. “I think Rubio has improved enough and the perceptions are such that Vance is going to have a hard time.”
Still, Halperin ultimately predicted that if Vance decides to run, Rubio would likely avoid challenging him directly.
“These two guys are genuine friends,” Halperin said. “You cannot beat an incumbent vice president running for president unless you rip their face off. That’s just the way our politics work.”
Halperin floated another possibility that has received relatively little attention so far: Vance and Rubio eventually joining forces on a single ticket.
“If Vance runs, I think they’ll run together,” he said. “I think they’ll be a ticket, and they may even announce as a ticket from the beginning of the campaign.”
He also suggested there remains a real possibility Vance could ultimately decline to run altogether, citing the intense scrutiny presidential campaigns place on candidates and their families.
“So if Vance chooses not to run, and I think that’s a possibility, probably because of his kids, I think Rubio will be in an extremely strong position,” Halperin said.
Watch:
For now, however, Trump appears content to encourage speculation without settling the question himself.
While Vance remains widely viewed as the early frontrunner thanks to his position as vice president and close alignment with Trump’s political movement, Rubio’s growing stature within the administration has made him impossible to ignore in conversations about the GOP’s post-Trump future.
And despite the president’s playful “dream team” comments this week, Trump has repeatedly emphasized one thing above all else: the race to succeed him is still far from decided.
Are Democrat leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer’s days in office numbered? Now even their own party hopes so.
The two Democrats, 82 and 71 respectively, have been experiencing an increase in calls to retire over the past months, not just from Republican critics but from members of their own party as well.
More and more Democrats have been calling for “new blood” in the party and for senior leaders to step down to make it happen. The calls come as the party continues to trend leftward and experiences a surge in success for more progressive candidates.
Now, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) has joined the handful of outspoken Democrats calling for new candidates in both Congress and the White House, according to The Washington Examiner.
“I have been very vocal, including with my own leadership in the House, that we need a new generation,” Slotkin told NBC’s Meet the Presson Sunday. “We need new blood, period, across the Democratic Party — in the House, the Senate, and the White House. I think that the country has been saying that
Rep. Slotkin’s comments follow similar remarks by Democrats yearning for new faces in the party.
President Joe Biden’s age, 79, has been of increasing concern over the past months as his blunders continue to attract negative attention. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called on the president not to seek another term in the White House, but so far Biden has yet to officially make an announcement. However, the continued chatter surrounding Biden’s age has invited speculation about whether Democrats will support the President’s next campaign.
Over the summer, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) said he wouldn’t back Biden for a reelection bid, making him one of the first sitting Democrat members of Congress to say directly that he wouldn’t back a second term for the president.
“I have respect for Joe Biden. I think he has — despite some mistakes and missteps, despite his age — I think he’s a man of decency, of good principle, of compassion, of empathy, and of strength. But to answer your question directly, which I know is quite rare, no, I don’t,” Phillips told WCCO in July.
