Inside Elections Shifts Florida Governor’s Race Even Further in David Jolly’s Direction, Now Rating Race ‘Lean Republican’

ORLANDO, FL (September 17, 2026) – Inside Elections, a nationally recognized leading race-rating organization, has just shifted Florida’s governor race in David Jolly’s direction for the second time in just two weeks and now labels the race “Lean Republican.”

The shift to lean Republican, the first such shift in the race thus far, is just the latest example of a significant groundswell of national momentum for the Jolly-Graham campaign in recent weeks. Cook Political Report has also shifted the race in favor of the ticket, and earlier this week, Decision Desk HQ noted that Jolly was gaining ground each week, had taken the lead in the polling average, and the race was nearing “toss-up” range.

Noting Donald Trump’s “frayed coalition” and “Jolly’s profile as a former Republican congressman,” the environment “is compelling enough to make this race competitive,” Inside Elections noted.

“While national ratings organizations continue to rapidly shift this race in David’s direction, he is keeping his head down and focusing on the change agenda that got him here: housing, healthcare, education, and stopping data centers,” said Jolly-Graham campaign Senior Advisor Mark Riddle. “Our campaign has built a strong coalition, and that support will only grow as Floridians learn more about why David is the clear choice in this race.”

Jolly, a fifth-generation Floridian, is running a change campaign focused on lowering costs, stopping data centers, and ending the divisive culture wars that have broken Florida’s politics. His opponent, Byron Donalds, is aligned with Donald Trump’s disastrous economic decisions and controlled by the special interests that have sent the costs of energy, insurance, utilities, and healthcare soaring.