The Florida Education Association, which represents more than 120,000 educators across the state, has endorsed David Jolly in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race. This endorsement, made in partnership with the Florida AFL-CIO and other public-sector unions, is centered on the needs of Florida’s families and communities.
“Strengthening public education and supporting workers aren’t partisan ideals—they’re essential to building strong communities and securing Florida’s long-term economic future,” said Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association. “Floridians are tired of empty promises from lawmakers while facing a relentless cost-of-living crisis and underfunded public schools. As families struggle with rising costs for necessities like rent, childcare, and groceries, anti-worker legislation has attempted to chip away at the constitutionally enshrined rights of workers and left our students neglected in favor of political games. This election is our chance to end profiteering by out-of-state, billionaire-backed special interests and elect a governor who puts Florida’s children, families, and workers first.”
For the past decade, too many lawmakers have put politics ahead of students and their families, diverting billions from neighborhood public schools to the state’s unaccountable voucher program and limiting academic freedom in higher education institutions. Under Florida’s current leadership, the state ranks 50th nationally in average educator pay for the third year in a row and 41st in per-student funding. From 2014-15 to 2024-25, the average teacher salary in Florida fell 12.4% in inflation-adjusted dollars, and nearly 60% of all education staff professionals in the state earn less than $35,000 annually.
Instead of making life more affordable for nurses, sanitation workers, utility workers, line technicians, certified nursing assistants, doctors and medical residents, city bus drivers, teachers, education staff professionals, higher education faculty and graduate assistants, city and municipal workers, communications workers, and countless other public sector workers who help make Florida safe and prosperous, the politicians in charge are asking working families to pay more and more, while getting less and less.
Families in our state deserve a leader who will put them first. This endorsement is a recognition of David Jolly’s advocacy for teachers, support professionals, higher education institutions, and our neighborhood public schools, as well as his commitment to our communities.
“Florida’s teachers and education professionals dedicate their lives to our children and the future of our state,” said David Jolly. “I’m proud to have the support of the Florida Education Association. Gwen and I believe in strengthening neighborhood public schools, supporting educators, and making sure every student in Florida has the opportunity to succeed.”
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CONTACT: FEA Press, feapress@floridaea.org, (850) 201-3223
The Florida Education Association is the state’s largest association of professional employees, with 120,000 members. FEA represents PreK-12 teachers, higher education faculty, educational staff professionals, students at our colleges and universities preparing to become teachers and retired education employees.
