2026 Florida gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
 
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Governor

Ron DeSantis
Republican


The 2026 Florida gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Florida, alongside the elections to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Ron DeSantis will be restricted from running because of term limits by the Florida Constitution, and he cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

Eligibility and requirements

Section 5 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

Campaign speculation

In September 2023, it was reported that Representative Matt Gaetz is "widely expected" to mount a gubernatorial bid in 2026.[11] Notable Republican figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, have publicly encouraged Gaetz to mount a candidacy.[12] Fellow Representative Byron Donalds, who has also received speculation regarding a potential bid for governor, indicated he would not support a gubernatorial bid mounted by Gaetz.[13]

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Casey
DeSantis		 Byron
Donalds		 Matt
Gaetz		 Ashley
Moody		 Jeanette
Nuñez		 Jimmy
Patronis		 Wilton
Simpson		 Francis
Suarez		 Michael
Waltz		 Other Undecided
University of North Florida October 23 – November 4, 2023 788 (LV) ± 3.77% 22% 9% 9% 6% 2% 3% 1% 1% 1% 6%[lower-alpha 2] 40%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Independents

Candidates

Publically expressed interest

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ "Someone else" with 6%
Partisan clients

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Article IV, Florida Constitution". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    2. ↑ Aabram, Virginia (March 4, 2023). "Is Byron Donalds the next Florida GOP superstar?". Washington Examiner. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    3. ↑ Leonard, Kimberly (April 6, 2023). "Stunning endorsement: DeSantis ally Rep. Byron Donalds backs Trump for president in 2024". Business Insider. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    4. ↑ Dixon, Matt (September 18, 2023). "'He's 100% in': Matt Gaetz widely expected to run for Florida governor". NBC News. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
    5. ↑ Ray, Sha'de (October 8, 2023). "Congressman Matt Gaetz denies plans for 2026 governor run". WEAR. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
    6. 1 2 3 "While DeSantis struggles with his run for president, who's next for Florida governor?". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
    7. ↑ Palmeri, Tara (August 18, 2023). "Imagining "Jillary" DeSantis". Puck. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
    8. 1 2 3 4 Fineout, Gary (May 15, 2023). "The Trump-DeSantis choice coming for Florida GOP". POLITICO. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
    9. ↑ Fineout, Gary; Carney, Jordain (February 16, 2023). "Matt Gaetz had a hell of a month. What's next for the Florida Republican?". POLITICO. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    10. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (June 23, 2023). "Jimmy Patronis' family wants him to run for Governor". Florida Politics. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
    11. ↑ "'He's 100% in': Matt Gaetz widely expected to run for Florida governor". NBC News. September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
    12. ↑ Daugherty, Eric (August 24, 2023). "Trump Jr., Guilfoyle praise a theoretical Matt Gaetz campaign for governor". Florida’s Voice. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
    13. ↑ Birle, Jack (September 19, 2023). "Byron Donalds says he would not back Gaetz for governor — and says he has Florida's support". Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    14. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (October 28, 2023). "Jason Pizzo isn't hopeful about flipping Senate seats, but sees a path to Governor in 2026". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 30, 2023. In 2026, when Pizzo should be wrapping up his tenure as Senate Democratic Leader, he will likely run for Governor. "But it depends on who's going to run on the other side," Pizzo said. "If Matt Gaetz is running, I run."
    15. ↑ Man, Anthony (November 3, 2023). "Sen. Shevrin Jones may run for Florida governor in 2026. He'd be nation's first Black openly gay governor". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
    16. ↑ "Florida Democrats may be about to get a big name against 'ass clown' senator". Daily Kos. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
    17. ↑ Elias, Dave (September 20, 2023). "4 potential candidates emerge in 2026 Florida governor's race". NBC2 News. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
    18. ↑ Fineout, Gary. "Florida Dems elect Nikki Fried to lead the party after 'horrific November'". Politico. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
    19. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (January 4, 2024). "John Morgan for Governor? Orlando attorney teases a run 'for the people'". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
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