Ex-Florida lawmaker leaves Republican Party

Former Rep. David Jolly (Fla.) has left the Republican Party.

The Tampa Bay Times reported on Monday that Jolly re-registered under no party affiliation with his wife a few weeks ago and that his intent was to reject partisanship in politics. 

“It’s also just a personal rejection of partisanship. It’s a very comfortable place for us to be,” Jolly told the newspaper of his decision. 

{mosads}Jolly, who represented Florida’s 13th Congressional District as a Republican from 2014 to 2017, has repeatedly criticized President Trump and the Republican Party this year. In February, he stated on CNN that American voters must help the Democrats earn a majority in the House if they want lawmakers to address gun control. 

“Republicans will never do anything on gun control,” he said. 

He also said earlier this month that there was no “moderate wing” of the Republican Party after almost every GOP senator voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. 

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) was the only Republican senator to oppose Kavanaugh.  

Jolly left office in January 2017 after losing a reelection bid to Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.). The Times noted that changing his party affiliation would likely make it easier for Jolly to campaign in his old congressional district. 

“I anticipate at some point in the future my name will be on the ballot, but I don’t know when that is or what office,” Jolly added to the newspaper.