Bill Clinton, the former President, made his initial 2026 midterm campaign appearance. He joined David Jolly, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, for an evening interfaith event in Hollywood. This appearance comes just two weeks before voters head to the polls on November 3.
The visit marks a late effort to boost Jolly’s chances against Republican Rep. Byron Donalds. In August, Jolly, a past Republican congressman, secured the Democrat nomination. He aims to break a long streak where no Democrat has won the Florida governor’s office since Lawton Chiles in 1994.
Clinton’s Role in the Race
According to Breitbart, Clinton’s arrival coincides with early voting starting in parts of the state. Jolly’s campaign confirmed this will be his first public appearance of the cycle. The former president has taken on a larger role in recent elections, making dozens of stops for candidates in battleground states.
This specific race has drawn national attention beyond Florida. The Cook Political Report moved the contest from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican” earlier this month. The shift happened even though Donalds holds a substantial financial advantage over Jolly.
Per Breitbart, Clinton is also helping other Democrats in the state. He and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently headlined a New York fundraiser for Rep. Jared Moskowitz. Moskowitz aims to win reelection within a new district labeled a toss-up by the outlet.
What the Numbers Show
Recent surveys offer different pictures of how the race stands right now. A Stetson University poll released Tuesday showed Donalds leading Jolly by 11 points. The numbers were 52 percent for Donalds and 41 percent for Jolly among modeled likely voters.
Other polling tells a tighter story. Between October 5–7, a St. Pete Polls survey placed both candidates at 45 percent. Last week’s YouGov survey indicated Donalds led with 47 percent against 45 percent. These mixed results highlight the uncertainty as the campaign enters its final stretch.
Broader Political Trends
The Florida contest is just one part of a larger shift in the Democratic party. Townhall columnist Kurt Schlichter notes that recent predictions of a “blue tsunami” have changed to a “red undertow.” He argues that Democrats will likely take the House but not the Senate.
Schlichter points out that early fears of losing red stalwarts like Iowa, Alaska, and Ohio have not materialized. He also dismissed claims that Democrats would win Texas with a candidate who supports “trans kids” and claims God has “68 genders.”
RedState reports on similar trends in New York, where support for Democrats among Jewish voters has dropped sharply. Data from CNN analyst Harry Enten shows a 38-point swing toward Republicans in that group since 2018. Enten called it a “huge trend” that could impact crucial House races.
The question remains whether late surrogates like Clinton can close the gap in Florida. The polls show a lead for Donalds, but the race has tightened enough to keep Republicans on their guard. Voters will decide the outcome in less than two weeks.
