2026 Florida gubernatorial election

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The 2026 Florida gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Florida. Primary elections will take place on August 18, 2026.[1] Incumbent Republican governor Ron DeSantis is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

Quick facts Party ...
2026 Florida gubernatorial election

 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 
 
Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor

Ron DeSantis
Republican



Close

Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in Florida since 1994.

Background

A heavily populated South Atlantic state with a large and increasingly conservative Latino American population and the northern parts lying in the Bible Belt, Florida is considered to be a moderately to strongly red state, having not elected a Democratic governor since 1994 nor a Democrat for president since 2012 and having moved significantly rightward in the last decade.[2] In 2022, incumbent governor Ron DeSantis was re-elected by a 19.4% margin, a considerable improvement from his 0.4-point victory four years earlier in the gubernatorial election during the 2018 blue wave.[3]

This was followed in 2024 by Republican Donald Trump winning his adoptive home state by a 13% margin as he won a second non-consecutive presidential term, improving his 3.4% margin of victory in 2020 and seemingly diminishing Florida's longtime swing-state and bellwether status. Republicans also control all statewide offices, a large majority of the state's U.S. House delegation, both U.S. Senate seats, and supermajorities in both houses of the Florida Legislature.[3]

Candidate eligibility and requirements

Article IV, Section 5(b) of the Florida Constitution states that, for a person to serve as governor, they must:[4]

  • 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

Declared

Withdrawn

  • Bill Reicherter, real estate agent, candidate for state house in 2024, and candidate for state senate in 2022[12]

Declined

Endorsements

Jay Collins
State representatives
Local officials
Organizations
Byron Donalds
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Party officials
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations
James Fishback
Statewide officials
Individuals
Paul Renner
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Ashley Moody (declined)
Individuals
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials

Debates

More information Date, Host ...
2026 Florida Republican gubernatorial debate
Date Host Moderators Location Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican
Key:  P  Participant   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
 A  Absent   N  Not invited 
Jay Collins Byron Donalds James Fishback Paul Renner Rachel Rodriguez Bobby Williams
June 6, 2026[69] Young Leaders of America TBA Stuart I I I I I I
July 21, 2026[70] Fox News TBA Tampa N I I N N N
Close

Fundraising

More information Campaign finance reports as of April 1, 2026, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of April 1, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent
Jay Collins (R) $388,489 $28,799
Byron Donalds (R) $7,104,287 $3,119,572
James Fishback (R) $298,017 $267,793
Paul Renner (R) $617,003 $112,183
Sources:[71][72][73][74][75]
Close

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Jay
Collins
Byron
Donalds
James
Fishback
Paul
Renner
Other Undecided
Change Research (D)[76][A] May 13–16, 2026 – (LV) 8% 48% 9% 3% 28%
Public Sentiment Institute[77] May 13–14, 2026 750 (LV) 46% 35% 19%
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[78] April 26–30, 2026 420 (LV) ± 4.78% 7% 54% 9% 2% 28%
Stetson University[79] March 25 – April 13, 2026 373 (LV) 6% 38% 5% 7% 17% 28%
Keystone Analytics[80] March 27 – April 6, 2026 795 (LV) ± 3.5% 43% 19% 38%
Tarrance Group (R)[81][B] March 30 – April 2, 2026 466 (LV) ± 4.7% 6% 50% 9% 3% 32%
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 465 (LV) ± 4.5% 4% 46% 4% 3% 4%[d] 39%
The American Promise[83] February 23–26, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 4% 44% 5% 2% 45%
The Public Sentiment Institute[84] February 20, 2026 – (LV) 12% 30% 8% 2% 2%[e] 46%
– (RV) 7% 29% 5% 1% 1%[f] 57%
– (A) 7% 27% 5% 1% 1%[f] 59%
University of North Florida[85] February 16–20, 2026 657 (LV) ± 4.38% 4% 31% 6% 1% 6% 51%
3% 28% 4% 1% 28%[g] 36%
Targoz Market Research[86][C] February 13–16, 2026 401 (RV) 15% 33% 3% 9% 40%
Patriot Polling (R)[87] January 19–29, 2026 827 (LV) ± 4.0% 37% 23% 40%
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[88] January 8–13, 2026 400 (RV) ± 5.0% 7% 37% 3% 4% 49%
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[89][B] January 4–6, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 6% 45% 4% 3% 41%
39% 3% 1% 26%[h] 31%
47% 5% 4% 43%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)[90][D] December 7–11, 2025 700 (RV) ± 3.7% 13% 40% 9% 38%
The Tyson Group (R)[92] December 8–9, 2025 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 9% 38% 2% 1% 49%
The American Promise[93] November 17–19, 2025 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 1% 43% 0% 2% 54%
Victory Insights (R)[94] November 11–13, 2025 600 (LV) 1% 45% 1% 3% 49%
St. Pete Polls[95][E] October 13–15, 2025 1,034 (LV) ± 3.0% 4% 39% 3% 54%
12% 52% 36%
Targoz Market Research[96][C] September 16–18, 2025 506 (RV) 29% 9% 62%
The American Promise[97] September 4–5, 2025 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 2% 40% 2% 54%
Close
Hypothetical polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Casey
DeSantis
Byron
Donalds
Matt
Gaetz
Ashley
Moody
Jeanette
Nuñez
Jimmy
Patronis
Wilton
Simpson
Francis
Suarez
Michael
Waltz
Other Undecided
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 465 (LV) ± 4.5% 7% 44% 15%[i] 34%
St. Pete Polls[95][E] October 13–15, 2025 1,034 (LV) ± 3.0% 21% 47% 36%
Targoz Market Research[96][C] September 16–18, 2025 510 (RV) 26% 23% 2% 9%[j] 39%
University of North Florida[98] July 14–22, 2025 797 (RV) ± 3.9% 32% 29% 8% 1% 2% 10%[k] 18%
St. Pete Polls[99][100][E] July 8–10, 2025 831 (LV) ± 3.4% 27% 35% 3% 2%[l] 32%
Targoz Market Research[101][102][C] May 5–7, 2025 516 (RV) 29% 28% 10% 7% 4% 5% 4%[m] 13%
Targoz Market Research[101][103][C] April 15–22, 2025 619 (RV) 28% 22% 8% 9% 4% 7% 4%[m] 18%
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[104] February 26–27, 2025 600 (LV) ± 5.0% 30% 34% 3% 33%
Victory Insights (R)[105] January 26–27, 2025 850 (LV) ± 3.5% 34% 5% 61%
31% 4% 3% 1% 60%
Florida Atlantic University/
Mainstreet Research
[106]
June 8–9, 2024 366 (RV) ± 3.3% 43% 19% 13% 14% 5% 7%[n]
Florida Atlantic University/
Mainstreet Research
[107]
April 15–17, 2024 372 (RV) ± 3.3% 38% 16% 20%[o] 26%
Victory Insights (R)[108] April 3–6, 2024 1,200 (LV) ± 2.9% 21% 13% 3% 2% 5% 14%[p] 43%
University of North Florida[109] October 23 – November 4, 2023 788 (LV) ± 3.8% 22% 9% 9% 6% 2% 3% 1% 1% 1% 6%[q] 40%
Close

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

  • Jessica Vernekar, social media influencer[114]

Declined

Endorsements

Jerry Demings
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations
David Jolly
Executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Jerry
Demings
David
Jolly
Other Undecided
Change Research (D)[76][A] May 13–16, 2026 – (LV) 27% 42% 31%
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 362 (LV) ± 4.4% 10% 21% 16%[s] 53%
Targoz Market Research[86][C] February 20–22, 2026 471 (RV) ± 4.4% 23% 31% 2%[t] 44%
The Public Sentiment Institute[84] February 20, 2026 – (LV) 16% 22% 9%[u] 53%
– (RV) 18% 22% 8%[v] 52%
– (A) 18% 21% 8%[v] 53%
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[88] January 8–13, 2026 400 (RV) ± 5.0% 19% 23% 58%
Public Policy Polling (D)[135][F] December 2–3, 2025 616 (LV) 22% 22% 56%
Close
Hypothetical polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Jason
Pizzo
Daniella Levine
Cava
Gwen
Graham
David
Jolly
Lauren
Book
Angie
Nixon
Shevrin
Jones
Fentrice
Driskell
Undecided
Targoz Market Research[101][102][C] May 5–7, 2025 396 (RV) 32% 13% 10% 7% 6% 4% 7% 21%
Targoz Market Research[101][103][C] April 15–22, 2025 464 (RV) 41% 15% 5% 7% 4% 4% 2% 1% 21%
Close

Independent and third-party candidates

Independent candidates

Declared

Declined

Libertarian Party

Declared

  • Scott Jewett, entrepreneur[140]

General election

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
Race to the WH[141] Tilt R April 21, 2026
The Cook Political Report[142] Solid R September 11, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[143] Safe R September 4, 2025
Inside Elections[144] Solid R August 28, 2025
Close

Polling

Byron Donalds vs. Jerry Demings

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Byron
Donalds (R)
Jerry
Demings (D)
Other Undecided
Cherry Communications (R)[145][G] May 1–9, 2026 604 (LV) ± 4.0% 48% 39% 13%
Stetson University[146] March 15 – April 13, 2026 848 (LV) ± 4.1% 46% 42% 7%
Echelon Insights[147][H] April 3–9, 2026 406 (LV) ± 6.0% 48% 44% 8%
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 2.8% 45% 36% 2%[w] 19%
University of North Florida[148] February 21 – March 2, 2026 786 (LV) ± 4.0% 43% 36% 5% 16%
University of North Florida[149] October 15–25, 2025 728 (LV) ± 4.3% 45% 33% 5%[x] 17%
Close

Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Byron
Donalds (R)
David
Jolly (D)
Other Undecided
Change Research (D)[76][A] May 13–16, 2026 1,593 (LV) ± 2.3% 42% 46% 12%
Cherry Communications (R)[145][G] May 1–9, 2026 604 (LV) ± 4.0% 47% 39% 14%
Stetson University[146] March 15 – April 13, 2026 848 (LV) ± 4.1% 47% 40% 7%
Echelon Insights[147][H] April 3–9, 2026 406 (LV) ± 6.0% 49% 43% 8%
MDW Communications (D)[150][I] March 27 – April 3, 2026 1,834 (LV) ± 2.0% 41% 41% 18%
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 2.8% 44% 39% 2%[w] 17%
University of North Florida[148] February 21 – March 2, 2026 786 (LV) ± 4.0% 42% 36% 5% 17%
Targoz Market Research[86][C] February 13–16, 2026 1,129 (LV) ± 2.8% 41% 36% 6%[y] 12%
University of North Florida[149] October 15–25, 2025 728 (LV) ± 4.3% 45% 34% 3%[z] 18%
Targoz Market Research[96][C] September 16–18, 2025 1,118 (RV) ± 2.8% 36% 32% 4%[aa] 28%
Bendixen & Amandi International (D)[151][J] September 7–9, 2025 631 (LV) ± 4.0% 40% 41% 19%
AIF Center (R)[152] August 25–27, 2025 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 49% 41% 11%
Victory Insights (R)[153] June 7–10, 2025 600 (LV) ± 2.8% 37% 31% 32%
Close

James Fishback vs. David Jolly

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
James
Fishback (R)
David
Jolly (D)
Undecided
Keystone Analytics[80] March 27– April 6, 2026 795 (LV) ± 3.5% 44% 40% 16%
Close

Paul Renner vs. David Jolly

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Paul
Renner (R)
David
Jolly (D)
Other Undecided
Targoz Market Research[96][C] September 16–18, 2025 1,123 (RV) ± 2.8% 34% 33% 5%[ab] 28%
Bendixen & Amandi International (D)[151][J] September 7–9, 2025 631 (LV) ± 4.0% 42% 40% 18%
Close
Hypothetical polling

Byron Donalds vs. Daniella Levine Cava vs. Jason Pizzo

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Byron
Donalds (R)
Daniella Levine
Cava (D)
Jason
Pizzo (I)
Undecided
Targoz Market Research[101][102][C] May 5–7, 2025 1,200 (RV) ± 2.8% 38% 34% 5% 23%
Close

Casey DeSantis vs. David Jolly

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Casey
DeSantis (R)
David
Jolly (D)
Other Undecided
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 2.8% 39% 40% 3%[ac] 19%
University of North Florida[149] October 15–25, 2025 728 (LV) ± 4.3% 47% 34% 5%[x] 14%
Close

Casey DeSantis vs. Jerry Demings

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Casey
DeSantis (R)
Jerry
Demings (D)
Other Undecided
Emerson College[82] March 29–31, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 2.8% 41% 39% 3%[ac] 17%
University of North Florida[149] October 15–25, 2025 728 (LV) ± 4.3% 47% 36% 6%[ad] 11%
Close

Casey DeSantis vs. Daniella Levine Cava vs. Jason Pizzo

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Casey
DeSantis (R)
Daniella Levine
Cava (D)
Jason
Pizzo (I)
Undecided
Targoz Market Research[101][102][C] May 5–7, 2025 1,200 (RV) ± 2.8% 39% 35% 8% 18%
Close

Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Generic
Republican
Generic
Democrat
Undecided
Cygnal (R)[154][K] August 25–27, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 51% 38% 11%
Cygnal (R)[155] October 26–28, 2024 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 48% 41% 11%
Close

See also

Notes

  1. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. Bobby Williams with 1%; Charles Burkett with <1%
  3. Charles Burkett with 2%; Bobby Williams with 0%
  4. Charles Burkett with 1%; Bobby Williams with 0%
  5. Casey DeSantis with 24%; "Someone else" & "Wouldn't vote" with 2%
  6. Casey DeSantis with 26%
  7. Jay Collins & James Fishback with 4%; Paul Renner with 2%; Jay Collins with 2%; Charles Burkett & Bobby Williams with 1%
  8. Paul Renner with 7%; Jay Collins with 2%
  9. "Someone else" with 7%; "Wouldn't vote" with 2%; "Refused" with 1%
  10. Paul Renner with 2%
  11. Charles Burkett with 3%; Ashton Hayward with 1%
  12. "Someone else" with 7%
  13. "Another candidate" with 20%
  14. "Someone else" with 14%
  15. "Someone else" with 6%
  16. Dayna Marie Foster & Jessica Vernekar at 2%
  17. "I would not vote" with 2%
  18. Dayna Marie Foster with 9%
  19. Dayna Marie Foster with 8%
  20. "Someone else" with 2%
  21. "Someone else" and "Wouldn't vote" with 2%; "Refusal" with 1%
  22. Jason Pizzo (I) with 6%
  23. "Someone else", "Wouldn't vote", and "Refusal" with 1%
  24. Jason Pizzo (I) with 4%
  25. Jason Pizzo (I) with 5%
  26. "Someone else" with 3%
  27. "Someone else", "Wouldn't vote", and "Refusal" with 2%

Partisan clients

  1. Poll commissioned by Freedom Project USA
  2. Poll sponsored by Donalds' campaign
  3. Poll sponsored by the James Madison Institute, a conservative think tank
  4. Poll sponsored by Florida Firefighters, which supports Collins[91]
  5. Poll sponsored by Florida Politics
  6. Poll sponsored by Moving Florida Forward, which supports Demings.[136]
  7. Poll sponsored by the Florida Chamber of Commerce
  8. Poll commissioned by NetChoice
  9. Poll sponsored by Edge Communications
  10. Poll sponsored by Jolly's campaign
  11. Poll sponsored by Conservatives for Clean Energy

References

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