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David Jolly: It's Not Want. It's Willingness.

David Jolly for Florida Published: 2026-05-21 Last updated: 2026-05-21
David Jolly explains why he chose to run for Florida governor

Key moments

0:00

"It's not want. My wants in life are for my kids to have more opportunities, a better life. Politics has never been about a want."

0:20

"It's a willingness. We all need to be willing to do what we can in this moment."

0:35

"You either stand up or you give up. And this is a moment where my wife and I made the decision to stand up."

What this video covers

People keep asking why anyone would run for governor right now. In this short video, David Jolly answers plainly. This isn't about wanting power. It's about being willing to do the work.

What's said

Jolly draws a line between a want and a willingness. His wants are personal: better opportunities for his kids, being a good husband and father. The willingness is what politics actually asks of a person. See the chapter at 0:20 for how he frames the decision to stand up rather than give up.

Transcript

Verified transcript of the video above.

0:00 It's not want. It's not want. My wants in life are. I want my kids to have more opportunities than they have right now. I want my kids to have a better life. I want to be a good husband, a good father. So it's not a want. And politics has never been about a want. It's a willingness.
0:20 I say we all need to be willing to do what we can in this moment where some days it feels like the world is melting around us. And so I do think everybody has to do their part in this moment, and we should all be willing to do that. So, you know, you either stand up or you give up. And this is a moment where my wife and I made the decision to stand up.
0:50 And millions of people across the country are standing up right now, and we're seeing it at the ballot box every time we have an election. People know that we need change, and change is here.

Related questions

Why is David Jolly running for governor?

He frames the decision as a willingness, not a want. His wants are personal, better opportunities for his kids and being a good husband and father. Politics, he says, has never been about a want. See the video at 0:00 for his full explanation[1].

What does Jolly mean by "stand up or give up"?

He describes a moment where it can feel like the world is melting around us, and says everyone has to do their part. He and his wife made the decision to stand up. Watch at 0:35 for that moment[1].

Does Jolly think people want change in Florida?

He says millions of people across the country are standing up right now, and it shows up at the ballot box every election. People know change is needed, and change is here. See 0:50 in the video[1].

More on this topic

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Sources

  1. David Jolly: It's Not Want. It's Willingness. (video) , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kTLbCn4h6Y · 2026-05-21

This isn't about wanting the job. It's about being willing to do it.

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