Florida Democrat David Jolly faces scrutiny over luxury hotel spending

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly has faced scrutiny following reports that he used campaign donor funds to stay at Ritz Carlton hotels in at least six different cities. These locations include Miami, Washington, D.C., Naples, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, and New York City, with peak room rates ranging from $500 to over $1,200.

Campaign finance disclosures indicate that a portion of these luxury hotel stays was paid for by Florida taxpayers through state matching funds. This comes as Jolly has publicly called on the national Democratic Party to increase financial support for his campaign to compete against Republican Byron Donalds.

As of September, Jolly reported $3.3 million in his campaign account, significantly trailing Donalds, who has raised $135 million. Jolly, a former Republican Congressman turned Democrat, has positioned himself as a moderate candidate in the race.