2026 Florida gubernatorial election explained
| Election Name: | 2026 Florida gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Florida |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 2022 Florida gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 2022 |
| Next Election: | 2030 Florida gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 2030 |
| Election Date: | November 3, 2026 |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Governor |
| Before Election: | Ron DeSantis |
| Before Party: | Republican |
The 2026 Florida gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Florida, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek election to a third consecutive term in office.
Eligibility and requirements
Article IV, Section 5(b), of the Florida Constitution states that, for a person to serve as governor, they must:[1]
- Be at least thirty years old;
- Be a permanent resident of Florida for at least seven years;
- Not have served as governor for six years or more of the two prior terms.
Republican primary
Candidates
Publicly expressed interest
Potential
Declined
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s)
administered | Sample
size | Margin
| Casey
DeSantis | Byron
Donalds | Matt
Gaetz | Ashley
Moody | Jeanette
Nuñez | Jimmy
Patronis | Wilton
Simpson | Francis
Suarez | Michael
Waltz | Other | Undecided |
|---|
Florida Atlantic University/
Mainstreet Research | data-sort-value="2024-06-09" | June 8–9, 2024 | 366 (RV) | ± 3.3% | | 43% | 19% | 13% | 14% | – | 5% | – | – | – | 7% | – |
| Victory Insights | data-sort-value="2024-04-06" | April 3–6, 2024 | 1,200 (LV) | ± 2.9% | – | | 21% | 13% | – | – | 3% | 2% | – | 5% | 14% | | 43% |
| University of North Florida | data-sort-value="2023-11-04" | October 23 – November 4, 2023 | 788 (LV) | ± 3.77% | | 22% | 9% | 9% | 6% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 6% | | 40% | |
- Casey DeSantis vs. Matt Gaetz
Democratic primary
Candidates
Publicly expressed interest
- Shevrin Jones, state senator from the 35th district (2020–present) and chair of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party (2024–present)
- Jared Moskowitz, U.S. representative from (2023–present)[8]
- Jason Pizzo, state senator from the 37th district (2018–present)[9] [10]
Potential
Independents
Filed paperwork
- Moliere Dimanche, writer[17]
Publicly expressed interest
General election
Polling
Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat
See also
Notes
- Partisan clients
References
- Web site: Article IV, Florida Constitution . 2023-05-13 . Ballotpedia . en.
- Web site: 2024-11-27 . Johnson's next margin headache: Manchin-style Republicans . 2024-11-28 . . Adragna, Anthony . en.
- Web site: Neely . Samantha . Can DeSantis run in 2026? Matt Gaetz and others who may get in race for Florida governor . November 28, 2024 . November 25, 2024 . . en-US.
- News: . November 24, 2024 . Ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz teases run for Florida governor. Calder, Rich . November 23, 2024 .
- Web site: Campaign to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress starting to take shape. Little. Jim. November 14, 2024. November 18, 2024. Pensacola News Journal.
- News: Gancarski, A.G. . July 7, 2024 . Flagship conservative mag floats 'clearing a lane' for Casey DeSantis' Governor run . August 27, 2024 . Florida Politics.
- News: . November 28, 2024 . May 13, 2024 . Wilson, Kirby . Casey DeSantis has 'zero' interest in running for governor, Ron DeSantis says.
- News: . March 6, 2024 . DeSantis sends state troops to manage spring breakers. March 6, 2024 . Leonard, Kimberly .
- Web site: Man . Anthony . Dissatisfied with his party’s potential candidates, Democratic state senator may run for Florida governor . . 6 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240921173526/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/09/21/dissatisfied-with-his-partys-potential-candidates-democratic-state-senator-may-run-for-florida-governor/ . 21 September 2024 . 21 September 2024 . live.
- News: . November 27, 2024 . Man, Anthony . November 25, 2024 . Potential candidates already look to 2026. LaMarca for Congress? Book’s return to Florida Senate? . [Pizzo's] also said he might seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2026.
- Web site: Jackson . Ken . 2023-11-11 . A way-too-early look at the ’26 Governor’s election . 2023-11-11 . Around Osceola.
- Web site: 2023-10-10 . So who’s going to be the next governor of Florida? . 2024-03-05 . City & State FL . en.
- Web site: Florida Democrats may be about to get a big name against 'ass clown' senator . 2023-09-06 . Daily Kos . en.
- Web site: Elias . Dave . 2023-09-20 . 4 potential candidates emerge in 2026 Florida governor's race . 2023-09-21 . NBC2 News . en-US.
- News: Wilson . Kirby . The 2026 Florida governor’s race is already taking shape. Here’s who could run. . May 24, 2024 . . May 24, 2024 . en.
- Web site: Hanks . Douglas . Miami-Dade’s Democratic mayor won big this week. Is a run for Florida governor next? . . 6 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240822130234/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article291242875.html . 22 August 2024 . 21 August 2024 . live . subscription.
- Web site: Of Elections . Florida Division . Candidate Tracking System . Florida Division of Elections . 26 June 2024 . 26 June 2024.
- Web site: Soule . Douglas . John Morgan endorses recreational marijuana in Florida, says he 'might' run for governor . . 16 July 2024 . 29 May 2024.
