Florida governor’s race 2026
Photo Credit: Florida Governor’s Office
the endorsements are significant, the unknowns even more so …
It is always interesting to watch media stories on the upcoming Florida governor’s race and who might be running, to see potential Republican and Democrat candidates listed, but hardly ever independent options.
Such is the state of the media and politics today, even though independents (no party and minor party voters) make up 29 percent of the electorate in the Sunshine State. This state admittedly leans red but is not slam-dunk red.
Florida Republican Party Voters: 39.6%
Florida Democrat Party Voters: 31.3%
Florida No Party & Minor Party Voters: 29.0%
The leading contenders are Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, endorsed by Donald Trump, and Casey DeSantis, preferred by Republican former presidential candidate and current Governor Ron DeSantis.
At present, no Democrats are standing out. However, one potential independent mega-lawyer, John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan in Orlando, does look intriguing but is hardly mentioned in contemporary media coverage. Morgan has expressed interest in the race but has not formally announced his intention.
Morgan has, however, announced on X that he is forming a new third party for “those of us stuck in the middle.” Morgan added, “Our two party system is broken due to Gerrymandering and divisive issues … both sides.” The attorney who leads perhaps the largest personal injury law firm in the nation with over 1,000 attorneys and is a staple on daily advertising touting, “For the People,” said that the No Labels party is not an option. “Everyone wants a team or tribe,” he wrote.
John Morgan reportedly changed his party registration from Democrat to No Party in 2020, after years of being a big donor to the Democrats, specifically presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Morgan has also led a number of key ballot initiatives over the years promoting the legalization of medical marijuana and raising the state’s minimum wage.
In either case, the Florida governor’s race is pitting two 2024 foes – Trump and DeSantis – against one another for political dominance.
Announcing his endorsement of Donalds on his Truth Social platform, President Trump said, “As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda. He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
For his part, choosing not to endorse Donalds just yet, Governor DeSantis criticized lawmakers in Washington, including Donalds, for not being focused on enacting the president’s agenda.
“We’ve achieved victories in Florida,” DeSantis explained. “We need to start achieving those victories up there. You got a guy like Byron. He just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years. He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning doing that, and that’s fine, but OK, well, then deliver results up there.”
Of Casey DeSantis, Ron reminded reporters in Tampa that he won by the biggest margin that any Republican has won a governor’s race in Florida and said, “She would do better than me.”
Decidedly conservative and a Tea Party member, Donalds, the incumbent Congressman for the 19th district in southwest Florida, has some significant liabilities. He was admitted into a pre-trial diversion program for marijuana possession in 1997 and pleaded no contest to a felony theft charge in 2000. Both legalities were eventually expunged from his legal record.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, the Congressman, who is of Jamaican and Panamanian heritage and a married father of three, graduated from Florida State University before running for Congress unsuccessfully in 2012 and entering the Florida House of Representatives in 2016. Donalds is a 2020 presidential election denier and voted on the evening of the January 6th Capitol riots to reject the certification of the Arizona and Pennsylvania electors. Donalds announced his intention to run for Florida governor on February 25th on Sean Hannity’s Fox show.
Casey DeSantis is a former news journalist from Jacksonville, Florida. As Florida’s First Lady, DeSantis has been active in hurricane relief efforts and mental health initiatives, among other issues. A graduate of the College of Charleston in South Carolina, the Florida First Lady played a prominent role in her husband’s failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination against Donald Trump in 2024.
Former Florida GOP congressman David Jolly famously called Mrs. DeSantis “America’s Karen” in 2023 during the Governor’s presidential bid on an MSNBC show. Jolly is now an independent as well as MSNBC political analyst.
DeSantis was born in Columbus, Ohio, and is the mother of three. Actively soliciting potential donors around the state and nation, DeSantis has not formally announced her intentions for the 2026 governor’s race.
A February 2025 poll by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab found that 57% of 871 active registered voters across Florida had a favorable opinion of Mrs. DeSantis. Overall, 30% were favorable to the Florida First Lady with a slightly higher percentage (33%) not knowing who she was and 22% having an unfavorable opinion. Congressman Donalds won an earlier poll in which Mrs. DeSantis was not a response option.
Other Republican political figures mentioned as possible 2026 candidates are former disgraced Congressman Matt Gaetz, Wilton Simpson, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
Potential Democratic political opponents are two state senators and the Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives.
The general election will be held on November 3, 2026.
Florida Republicans hold an advantage over Florida Democrats in party registration. However, independent voters comprise 29% of the electorate, making independent voters (no party and minor party voters) a significant swing vote to factor into outcome predictions and campaign progress.
The 2026 race is off to an early start with Byron Donalds’ intention to run announcement and the endorsements from President Trump and recommendation from Governor DeSantis. A lot will happen electorally between now and November 2026.
Given the state’s relative equal split between registered Republicans, Democrats, and independent voters, attorney John Morgan’s potential entry into the race could be pivotal, especially if state Democrats field a politically weak candidate as they have done in several statewide races lately.
Thomas is concerned about Congressman Donald’s legal challenges and prefers candidates who do not have political baggage of that nature. Undoubtedly, the Congressman’s transgressions will be a topic of debate in the primary and general election cycles.
Casey DeSantis does not have political experience beyond that gained from being the husband of a former Congressman and current Governor. Then again, the DeSantis name will be a huge advantage, but Donald’s will benefit from having Air Force One in his media kit.
Florida is a prominent political prize in the 2026 election season, so the campaign for governor promises to be rough and tumble. A Casey DeSantis primary win will give currency to her husband’s effort to claim the mantle of MAGA successor when Donald Trump’s presidency sunsets.
This story will update as campaign events warrant.