Clinton Backs Jolly as Florida Governor Race Tightens

Florida's gubernatorial contest took on greater national significance on October 20, 2026, as former President Bill Clinton joined Democratic candidate David Jolly at an interfaith gathering in Pembroke Park while Republican contender Byron Donalds campaigned elsewhere in South Florida. The appearances highlighted competing approaches to economic pressures, cultural issues and the state's political future two weeks before Election Day.

Clinton's first public campaign appearance of the election cycle brought national Democratic attention to Jolly's challenge against Donalds, a Republican congressman endorsed by President Donald Trump and outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Sun Sentinel reported that four recent public opinion polls showed Donalds holding a narrow lead.

Approximately 400 people attended the gathering at Koinonia Worship Center, where Jolly promoted lower housing costs, more affordable health insurance, reduced homeowners' insurance premiums and greater investment in public education. His running mate is former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, the daughter of former Florida governor and senator Bob Graham.

Jolly presented the campaign as an effort to address financial pressures and political divisions. He also emphasized religious inclusion, referencing Christian teachings, the Quran and the Founding Fathers while acknowledging people without religious beliefs.

During an earlier campaign stop, Jolly described his platform as focused on essential household concerns.

"The message of our campaign, myself and Gwen Graham is really the same in every single community: housing, healthcare, education, and no data centers," Jolly said.

Clinton, 80, spoke for approximately 33 minutes, criticizing Trump's foreign policy, immigration enforcement and domestic priorities before turning to Florida's gubernatorial race. He accused the president of abandoning traditional allies while drawing closer to Russia's leadership.

"I'm tired of the way we treat our allies like dirt, and just last week President Trump has finally done what he threatened to do when he ran the first time, which is to abandon Ukraine and embrace Vladimir Putin all over again," Clinton said.

Clinton also criticized Trump's handling of Ukraine and his approach to domestic political issues. Addressing proposed territorial rhetoric involving Canada, he said, "We had the gall to suggest that they should become the 51st state." He also challenged the administration's immigration strategy, arguing that its consequences could hurt Republicans in Florida.

"You live in Florida, you got to have some real fans to think you're going to make votes as a Republican by kicking Cubans out," Clinton said.

Returning to the gubernatorial campaign, Clinton praised Jolly and Graham as candidates motivated by improving residents' lives regardless of their backgrounds. He also questioned Donalds' decision to remove references to Trump's agenda from his campaign website.

"Now, I understand the need to periodically update your website," Clinton said. "People in Florida are entitled to know, I think, whether you changed your mind or just changed the words, hoping nobody will notice. If the [Trump] agenda was good for Florida a few weeks ago, why don't you want to talk about it anymore? And if it isn't good enough, why don't you just say?"

Clinton described Graham's selection as Jolly's running mate as "brilliant" and said the campaign would seek to reduce property insurance costs and expand Medicaid coverage. He also criticized the president's renovation of the White House Rose Garden, saying Congress should challenge changes that he described as excessive.

Jolly's campaign announced that Clinton headlined a fundraiser at a private residence that raised $3 million. The Democratic Governors Association separately announced a $1 million expenditure supporting Jolly, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Jolly argued that national Democratic involvement reflected confidence in Florida's competitiveness. He also questioned Donalds' fundraising, saying his opponent had raised at least $120 million more than he had.

"He's going around the state raising a bunch of money that he's not going to spend. We're moving into that space of this campaign where we need to ask, 'Why are you raising this money?'" Jolly said. "Are you going to use it for this campaign or are you actually raising it for some other purpose?"

Democratic activist Dr. Fergie Reid Jr., who leads the Virginia-based 90-for-90 organization recruiting candidates for the election cycle, said Clinton's visit demonstrated a shift in the state's political landscape.

"You don't put these people in play unless there's a really good reason to do so," Reid said. He added that Clinton could have campaigned in several other states, emphasizing the significance of his Florida appearance.

Donalds, meanwhile, brought his 50-stop bus tour to La Carreta restaurant in Westchester, where supporters gathered for an event requiring reservations. He fielded voter questions and emphasized conservative principles, family values and public safety.

"I could talk about the Democrats, but why? Why? Because what we stand for is common sense. What we stand for is family values," Donalds said.

Martha Mesa, president and founder of Latinos GOP, said she supported Donalds because she wanted Florida to avoid problems she associated with Democratic-led cities elsewhere. Another supporter, identified only as Johnny, expressed confidence in Donalds because of his backing from Trump.

Donalds' campaign also attacked Jolly before Clinton's appearance. Communications director Gates McGavick said Jolly would increase taxes, raise living costs and pursue policies that Republicans oppose.

"No has-been Democrat surrogate is going to change the fact that Democrat David Jolly would raise taxes on Floridians, make life more expensive, and 'test the limits' of Florida's constitution to force woke policies on the Sunshine State," McGavick said.

Both campaigns planned additional South Florida appearances during the week, with Donalds scheduled to visit a restaurant in West Miami-Dade and Jolly preparing to meet voters across Broward County.