Bill Clinton to Campaign for Democratic David Jolly in Florida Governor’s Race

Bill Clinton to Campaign for Democratic David Jolly in Florida Governor’s Race/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to campaign with Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly in Florida on Oct. 20. The evening interfaith event in Hollywood would mark Clinton’s first public campaign appearance of the 2026 midterms. Democrats hope the visit will bolster Jolly against Republican Byron Donalds as early voting begins in parts of the state.

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Quick Look

Scheduled appearance: Clinton plans to join Jolly at an evening interfaith event in Hollywood, Florida.
Election timing: The Oct. 20 event falls two weeks before Election Day.
Governor’s contest: Jolly faces Republican Rep. Byron Donalds to succeed outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Political background: Jolly is a former Republican congressman who won the Democratic nomination in August.
Clinton’s role: The event is billed as his first public campaign appearance of this midterm cycle.
Additional support: Clinton also helped raise money for Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly, speaks during a town hall meeting, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Leesburg, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, center, waves next to his wife Erika, while standing on stage with their children Darin, left, Damon, second from left, and Mason during at a primary election party Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Deep Look

Bill Clinton Plans Florida Campaign Stop for David Jolly

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to campaign alongside Democrat David Jolly in Florida as the party seeks an opening in the state’s governor’s race.

According to the Oct. 14 report, Clinton will join Jolly at an evening interfaith event in Hollywood on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The appearance is planned for two weeks before Election Day and coincides with the start of early voting in parts of Florida.

It would be Clinton’s first public campaign appearance of the 2026 midterm elections.

Jolly Faces Byron Donalds in Race to Succeed DeSantis

Jolly, a former Republican member of Congress, decisively won Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination in August.

He now faces Republican Rep. Byron Donalds in the contest to replace outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Democrats view the closely watched race as an opportunity to compete for the governorship. Clinton’s planned visit brings a prominent national figure into the campaign’s final stretch.

Former President Returns to Midterm Campaign Trail

Clinton’s planned Florida appearance follows different campaign schedules in recent election cycles.

During the 2022 midterms, he waited until the closing days to make appearances, campaigning for Democrats in New York, New Jersey and South Texas.

He played a more active role in 2024, making dozens of stops in battleground states for then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

He also campaigned for several candidates further down the ballot that year.

Clinton Also Helps Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz

Jolly is not the only Florida Democrat receiving Clinton’s support this fall.

Earlier in the week of the Oct. 14 report, Clinton and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries headlined a New York fundraiser for Rep. Jared Moskowitz.

Moskowitz is seeking reelection in a newly drawn district described as a toss-up.

A redistricting plan backed by DeSantis dismantled his previous districtcreating a more competitive contest.