Rundown: Possible Contenders for Florida’s 2026 Gubernatorial Election

TAMPA, Fla. — With term limits approaching for Gov. Ron DeSantis, the field of candidates for Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial election is beginning to take shape, featuring contenders from across the political spectrum.

The latest data from the Florida Division of Elections shows that at least 20 people have already filed to run. 

A number of potential candidates have been mentioned for the race, and some politicians — like former Congressman Matt Gaetz and State Senator Jason Pizzo (D-Miami) — have previously suggested intentions to run.

While the elections may be more than a year out, here’s a look at some of the candidates that could take DeSantis’ current role in office.

The former Republican congressman, who is now a registered Democrat, announced his bid Thursday morning. 

Jolly noted that economic challenges are significant factors driving his decision to enter the race, pointing out concerns over the state’s escalating property insurance and utility costs, issues with the voucher system, and economic pressures on families and retirees. 

“We’re kind of tired of fighting culture wars,” he said. “We think it’s time to fight for lower property insurance, to fight the affordability crisis, to fight for reinvestment in public schools,” Jolly said in an interview with 10 Tampa Bay in April.

The former Tampa Bay-area representative believes there is a viable path for a Democrat to win statewide, despite the Republican Party’s massive 1.2 million registered voter advantage and big wins in the last several elections.

Other issues he is concerned about include reducing gun violence, investigating in climate resiliency and restoring reproductive rights, which all align with the Democratic party, according to his website. 

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced in February that he was entering the 2026 Florida governor race.

According to a report from the Associated Press, Donalds, who graduated from Florida State University, was working as a financial adviser when then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the board of trustees at a state college, cementing his rise in the state GOP.

He entered the Florida House in 2016, won a seat in the U.S. House in 2020 and has been on the short list for multiple opportunities ever since, including being nominated in January 2023 by the far-right wing as a candidate for House speaker.

President Donald Trump previously endorsed Donalds, saying in an Truth Social post earlier this year: “Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

According to his website, Donalds is focused on several issues, including protecting Florida’s water, federal spending, COVID-19, education and foreign affairs.

The state senator made waves after switching his party affiliation live on the Senate floor and calling the Democratic party “dead.” 

Pizzo told CBS Miami in a May interview that he is planning to run as an independent in the governor’s race but won’t officially enter until September. 

“We need somebody who can balance a checkbook, who understands finance, not just economic theory; who’s concerned about infrastructure and resiliency and the environment and education and all of these things that are top of mind for people that are just trying to keep a roof over their head, keep their kids clothed and educated,” he said in the interview.

As a state senator, he represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. He was previously a former assistant state attorney before being elected to the Senate in 2018. He also inherited millions from his father’s real estate business and said he is prepared to invest millions into his campaign, according to the interview. 

The current first lady has floated the idea of succeeding her husband as governor.  

Ron DeSantis touted his wife as a staunch conservative who would build on his legacy and even argued she could pull in even more voters than he did.

“She’s somebody that has, I think, the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles,” DeSantis said at a news conference in February. “Anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

In January, former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said that he has considered running for Florida governor in the next election. 

In a video clipped and posted on X from One America News, Gaetz said the Tampa Bay Times texted him asking if he would consider running for the position to which he responded, “Of course I am.”

“I am the true Florida man after all,” he said on the show. “Lots of Florida Republicans would be pretty excited.”

Gaetz was a representative in Congress from 2017 to 2024 and was reelected in the past election before he was nominated as attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump. He later withdrew ahead of the release of a House Ethics panel report accusing him of “regularly” paying for sex with women, including a minor. 

The politician has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. 

The agriculture commissioner, who is also a Lakeland native, has been in his role since 2023.

He also was previously a member of the Florida Senate as a Republican representing parts of Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties. Simpson served as the majority leader of Senate and Senate President. He has a lot of experience in the agriculture industry, owning and managing a large-scale egg-laying operation for more than 40 years, according to the agriculture department’s website. 

DeSantis previously clashed with Simpson after the Florida Legislature created its own immigration bill that would hand over immigration enforcement power to Simpson.

“Legislative leaders wrote a weak immigration bill that vests enforcement in the Commissioner of Agriculture, which creates a conflict of interest given the agriculture industry’s affinity for cheap, illegal foreign labor,” he said in an X post. “It is also the case that the current commissioner, Wilton Simpson, has voted to give drivers licenses and in-state tuition to illegals. He even refused to oppose allowing illegals to practice law in Florida.”

A full list of candidates across parties can be found on the Florida Division of Elections’ candidate tracking system.

The Associated Press, as well as previous 10 Tampa Bay reporting, contributed to this article.