MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The race for Florida governor in 2026 is already gaining attention, with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Florida, endorsed by President Donald Trump, actively campaigning with strong fundraising.
A Democrat-turned-independent also says he’s running. At least three others are dropping hints and testing the waters.
Meanwhile, Donalds spoke to Local 10 News in Miami Gardens on Wednesday, where he addressed students graduating from St. Thomas University.
“Now it’s about vigilance on some of those core cultural and philosophical issues, but now a focus on the economic future of the state,” he said.
Jason Pizzo, a South Florida state senator who ditched his Democratic Party, is running as a no-party candidate.
Pizzo is not the first independent to run for governor, but certainly the most politically well-known and potentially well-self-financed.
David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, plans to run for governor as a Democrat, saying he plans to launch his campaign in June. He’s hosting town halls throughout the state.
First Lady Casey DeSantis is keeping the candidacy question open while working to overcome still-open questions about whether the foundation that funds her Hope Florida program secretly diverted taxpayer funds.
Meanwhile, prominent Orlando attorney John Morgan has the money and notoriety from issue campaigns like medical marijuana and is talking about creating a third party.
All of this comes well-ahead of the qualifying period: next April.
