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WATCH • VOICES

Jadene: Why This Campaign Matters

By David Jolly Published: 2026-09-09 Last updated: 2026-09-09
Jadene speaking about why she supports David Jolly

Key moments

0:16

"When I first met David, I realized that the values that he holds are the values that I have."

1:09

"He doesn't care if you're a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or have no interest. If you've got an idea, talk to David."

2:25

"The last politician I supported was John Kennedy. I have not done anything like that until David came along."

Context

Jadene Ransdell met David Jolly at a town hall in St. Petersburg before he announced his candidacy. This is her story of why she came back to politics after decades away.

What's said

Jadene describes a candidate who listens first and builds coalitions across party lines. She explains why she's volunteering for the first time since John Kennedy's campaign.

Transcript

Verified transcript of the video above.

0:00 My name is Jaydeen Ransdell and I live in Clearwater and I am so excited to be supporting David. He's a candidate that I have found to be the kind of politician that I can support. I do not like politicians but I love David.
0:16 When I first met David, which was before he actually had announced his candidacy, I realized that the values that he holds are the values that I have and I shared with him a connection that we have that goes back to Congressman Bill Young's time in office when David was a staffer to Bill and Bill had recognized my son Matthew, who has Down syndrome, as a valuable volunteer at the Bay Pines VA Health Center where he volunteered for nine years and I got to share that story with David and assume that maybe he might have written the proclamation that Congressman Young gave on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2013.
1:09 That started my connection but I have gotten behind David because I believe that he is exactly what we need in this state and actually I believe we need him in this country because the thing that I think I love most is his interest in building what he calls a coalition government and when I talk with friends about David's candidacy, I always say you know he doesn't care if you're a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or have no interest.
1:42 If you've got an idea, talk to David because he wants to explore those ideas and I've seen that firsthand with David in lots of conversations that we've had talking about my passion with families who have loved ones who have severe disabilities.
2:03 When David and I first met, one of our very first conversations was that I don't go out and support politicians. I don't like politics. I think it's a game that we as citizens are the pawns in that game.
2:25 The last politician I supported was John Kennedy when I was a young Democrat back in Iowa and I knocked on doors to get Kennedy elected and I have not done anything like that until David came along.
2:48 I'm an old mom so I'm telling you that's a lot of history to have been out of politics and not really care what happens but I care now and I really hope that we can do what it takes to get this man behind the governor's desk in Tallahassee.

Related questions

What does David Jolly mean by coalition government?

A coalition government brings people from different backgrounds and parties together to solve problems. David Jolly believes good ideas don't belong to one side. See the video at 1:09 for Jadene's description of this approach.

How did David Jolly and Jadene first meet?

They met at a town hall in St. Petersburg before David announced his candidacy. Jadene shared a connection through Congressman Bill Young, who had recognized her son Matthew for his volunteer work at Bay Pines VA. See the video at 0:16 for her story.

Why does Jadene support David Jolly after decades away from politics?

Jadene says the last candidate she volunteered for was John Kennedy. She came back because David Jolly listens to people regardless of party and explores ideas that make life better for families like hers. See the video at 2:25 for her explanation.

More on this topic

OverviewMeet David Jolly — Florida Governor 2026 In depthBelieve in Better - David Jolly for Florida Governor In depthWhat Makes America Great Has Nothing to Do with Politics In depthVoices on the Trail - Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes In depthDavid Jolly: It's Not Want. It's Willingness.

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