David Jolly is the only major Democrat running for Florida governor next year. But he’s still facing attacks and scrutiny about his Republican past over a key issue threatening party unity: abortion rights.

The former GOP representative and MSNBC political contributor has faced backlash in recent weeks from Anna Hochkammer, executive director of the Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition political committee. The criticisms have incensed his supporters, who’ve rushed to defend him publicly.

In a state President Donald Trump won by 13 points in November, Jolly’s allies worry that beating down the lone major Democratic candidate could provide yet another hurdle in an already difficult race for the beleaguered state party.

It alternatively could pave the way for a candidate to enter the race from the left that would highlight Jolly’s past positions on abortion among others he has since renounced, creating a testy Democratic primary. Jolly’s supporters point to his turnaround on abortion rights and say the attacks are counterproductive.

“This is not the way I would like to see us go — to start attacking someone I think would be a very strong candidate,” said Broward County Commissioner Nan Rich, a former Democratic leader in the state Senate who said Jolly’s focus on affordability issues was key to winning over voters. “There is time to have debates when the field is settled.”