Ex-Republican turned anti-MAGA Dem clinches Florida governor nomination

A former Republican lawmaker has been nominated for governor of Florida — as a Democrat.

David Jolly, a moderate lawmaker who has been outspoken against President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement for years, easily swept the Democratic nomination on Tuesday evening, according to CNN and NBC News.

Florida has emerged as a home base state for MAGA activism, ever since Trump, who won the state in three presidential elections, set up his primary residence outside of the White House at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

Democrats, who have suffered years of setbacks in the state as their voter outreach to Latino communities has faltered and growing numbers of pro-Trump retirees have moved in, are hoping to run a competitive race there this year, bolstered by recent wins including their first mayoral victory in Miami in nearly 30 years.

On the Republican side, Trump has endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds to succeed two-term Gov. Ron DeSantis.