Bill Clinton to campaign for Democrat David Jolly in Florida governor’s race

Former President Bill Clinton will appear alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly at an evening interfaith event in Hollywood, Florida, on Oct. 20, his first public campaign stop of the 2026 midterm election cycle.

The surprise appearance is aimed at shoring up Jolly’s chances against Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, who leads most polls but faces a narrowing gap as early voting opens in parts of the state on Oct. 19.

Jolly, a former Republican congressman who secured the Democratic nomination in August, faces a historic challenge; the last Democrat elected governor of Florida was Lawton Chiles in 1994. Clinton’s involvement underscores the Democratic effort to break that decades‑long streak.

Recent polling paints a mixed picture. A Stetson University poll released on Oct. 13 showed Donalds ahead 52 % to 41 % among modeled likely voters. By contrast, a St. Pete Polls survey conducted Oct. 5‑7 found the candidates tied at 45 % each, and a YouGov poll released the previous week placed Donalds ahead 47 % to 45 %.

The Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican,” reflecting a competitive environment despite Donalds’ financial advantage. Campaign finance reports indicate Donalds has raised $134.4 million and spent $91.7 million, while Jolly has raised roughly $16.7 million and spent $11.2 million.

Clinton’s visit arrives as early voting expands, giving Jolly a high‑profile surrogate in the final stretch. The former president also recently headlined a New York fundraiser with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic congressional candidate in a newly drawn toss‑up district.

Clinton has a history of late‑stage campaign appearances, having campaigned in the closing days of the 2022 midterms and made dozens of stops across battleground states in 2024 to support then‑Vice President Kamala Harris. His presence in Florida marks a notable escalation in Democratic efforts to contest a race that has long been a Republican stronghold.

With the election set for Nov. 3 and early voting continuing through Oct. 31, Clinton’s Hollywood stop is expected to draw media attention and rally Democratic voters ahead of the decisive final weeks of the campaign.