Former Congressman David Jolly Launches Non-Profit Policy Committee

General News

St. Petersburg, FL – Former Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) is launching Brighter Future Florida Inc. (“Brighter Future”), a non-profit organization created to continue his work on issues important to Pinellas County, Tampa Bay and the State of Florida.

Funded initially with unused money from the 2016 campaign cycle, Brighter Future will focus on veterans’ issues, early childhood education and literacy, community healthcare solutions, and issues impacting local fisheries and the environment. 

“I am committed to continuing the work I started in Congress,” Jolly said. “Brighter Future provides a vehicle to serve our community and to work with people of all political leanings on smart public policy solutions,” Jolly added.  “With Brighter Future, I also hope to demonstrate a commitment to real campaign finance reform. Instead of using unspent money on endless campaign cycles for other candidates, I felt the right thing to do was to pour the money back into the community.”

As an example, Jolly has recently directed funds to I Support Youth, a youth development non-profit in south St. Petersburg, Drug Free America Foundation, and the Jim West Prostate Foundation supporting prostate cancer screenings.

Assisting Jolly with Brighter Future will be Vito Sheeley, who will serve as the non-profit’s senior policy advisor, and John David White, former Chief of Staff to Jolly and a Director with Brighter Future.  The three have spent the last several weeks hosting listening sessions and briefing community leaders on the organization.

“I applaud David and his efforts on behalf of the citizens he has served. Diverse leadership on these important issues is critical for success,” said Janet Long, Chair of the Pinellas County Commission.

“By investing in locally-based programs, Brighter Future can make a real difference in our community.  David’s continued commitment to taking action is the right thing to do,” said Councilwoman Yolanda Roman of the City of Gulfport.

For inquiries or to learn more about Brighter Future, please go to www.brighterfutureflorida.org.

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About Jeff Cavanagh

Jeff Cavanagh spent his freshman year at St. Petersburg Junior College back in the early 70s before enlisting in the United States Navy. Soon after, he attended Jacksonville University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. After college, he was commissioned and became a qualified Surface Warfare Officer spending the next 22 years honing his skills as a ship-handler and expert recruiter before retiring in 1994. Jeff expresses a deep sense of pride in St. Petersburg College due to connections that go back many years. His father, Tom Cavanagh, was a career Air Force fighter pilot and combat veteran who taught Geography and Western Civilization at St. Petersburg Junior College in the 60’s and 70’s.