Patrick Murphy and David Jolly a Bipartisan Run for Governor

For the past few weeks Floridians have watched as former Congressmen David Jolly and Patrick Murphy have hit the cable news shows and stirred up rumors of a bipartisan run for governor. Jolly and Murphy have traveled together and hosted town halls on “Why Gridlock Rules Congress and How We Can Solve the Crisis.” Speaking on gridlock and dysfunction, the bi-partisan duo has caused some commotion as Florida voters wonder if or when Murphy and Jolly will officially announce their intent to run for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Murphy who served as a two-term Congressman and gained notoriety in 2016 when he squared off against Marco Rubio for US Senate is now mulling a run for governor. One condition, though – former Congressman from Pinellas County David Jolly would be his running mate. According to a recent poll, Murphy would take 21 percent of the Democratic primary vote if voters knew David Jolly would be his running mate.

With both sides of the gubernatorial race crowded, and neither party with a true front runner, a #PurpleTicket such as Murphy/Jolly could have some serious legs. Looking at 2016, Floridians sent a resounding message when they opted for untraditional candidate Donald Trump, and now his presidency has deepened the partisan divide.

Since Murphy and Jolly have ruled out a third party run, and the only way for a #PurpleTicket to get to Tallahassee would be on the Democratic ticket. At first glance, this ticket seems like a dream team for voters who are longing for a moderate candidate, but it would not be all roses and sunshine. There are a couple things to keep in mind. If Murphy runs as a Democrat, he would face criticism of pandering to the GOP. Jolly would face criticism of being a RINO (Republican In Name Only) since he has spent some serious air time on cable news shows criticizing President Trump. Lastly, Murphy would have to rely on moderate Democrats to show up and vote in the August primaries since Florida is a closed primary state.

As more voters shed party affiliations and opt to register as Independents, they begin to look for candidates who choose to put their country, or in this case their state, over party politics. A Murphy/Jolly ticket is not only innovative in notion, but offers a blueprint and road map for other possible unity tickets across the country.

The jury is out on the number of voters who have found themselves alienated from their parties due to the current partisan divide, but it is safe to say, the 2018 midterm election in Florida with a unity ticket such as Murphy/Jolly could produce a Purple Wave in the Sunshine State.

There is no better time than now to disrupt our two-party system and see if Florida voters are ready to have a governor who will put his state over party. A #PurpleTicket has the potential to give voters what they have been longing for. After all, it is time to put country over party, and what better place than to start right here in the Sunshine State.