Politics

Who is running for Florida governor in 2026?

January 20, 2026
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The race for Florida’s governor in November’s election has gotten even more crowded with two more candidates, Republican Jay Collins, currently Gov. Ron DeSantis’ second-in-command, and Democrat Charles A. Lewis, a former Marine gunnery sergeant who ran for state Senate District 39 in 2024.

Lt. Gov. Collins, who has been rumored to be in the running for months, announced his candidacy Monday, Jan. 12. Lewis filed the day before, according to state records.

That makes a packed field of 36 candidates to fill the seat left behind when DeSantis leaves office due to term limits, although Republican Angie Windhauser, CEO of nonprofit Gods Finest Hour Drama Outreach of Florida, said by phone that she has decided to withdraw from the gubernatorial race and possibly from the U.S. House District 10 race where she is also a candidate. She has not yet filed that paperwork with the state, she said.

The other 34 will need to hustle to catch up with the frontrunner, who is way ahead.

Polling shows Donalds in early lead for Florida governor’s race

In a Mason-Dixon poll released Jan. 15, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, has “a significant early lead,” said Brad Coker, CEO and managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy in Jacksonville.

“Donalds has the support of 37% of GOP voters, far ahead of the 7% backing (of) Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who just entered the race,” he said. “Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner trails with 4%, followed by businessman James Fishback with 3%.” The margin for error is plus-or-minus five percentage points.

That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. Almost half of those surveyed, 49%, are still undecided, Coker said.

On the Democrats’ side, voters polled leaned toward Pinellas County congressman and former Republican David Jolly with 23% compared to 19% for Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “This margin is insignificant, particularly given that 58% are undecided at this time,” Coker said.

Why doesn’t DeSantis run for governor again?

DeSantis is unable to run again because he has already served two consecutive terms. No one can run for three terms in a row.

Article IV of the Florida Constitution says, “No person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term.”

Betting favors Donalds

Plenty of people are willing to bet that Donalds will take it with nearly $84,000 on the line.

At the bet-on-anything site Polymarket, 80% of bettors picked Donalds to win the Republican primary as of Jan. 16, with investment firm CEO James Fishback at 13% and Collins at 3%, lower than the 10% he was at in December when he hadn’t yet entered the race.

A bet for the Florida governor election winner is currently going 92% in favor of the next governor being Republican.

Who is running for Florida governor in 2026?

There are 36 declared candidates as of Jan. 16, according to the Florida Department of Elections. Here’s the list, broken down by party.

Republican candidates for Florida governor in 2026

Democratic candidates for Florida governor in 2026

Independent candidates for Florida governor in 2026

Libertarian candidates for Florida governor in 2026

NPA (No Political Affiliation) candidates for Florida governor in 2026

Constitution Party candidates for Florida governor in 2026

Write-in candidates for Florida governor in 2026

Withdrawn candidates for Florida governor in 2026

  • DeMarco Byrdsong (REP)
  • Elena Beatriz Gil-Altamura (REP)
  • Indony Pierre Jean Baptiste (DEM)
  • Holly Klask (NPA)
  • Matthew Edward Taylor (REP)
  • David Wayne Gizmo Wexler (NPA)
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