Who is running for Florida governor?
A straight answer, and everything behind it.
The full race pageTwo candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Governor of Florida: David Jolly, the Democratic nominee, running with Gwen Graham for Lieutenant Governor, and Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee. Both won their primaries on August 18, 2026.[1] The seat is open because Governor Ron DeSantis is term limited.[2]
The Democrat: David Jolly
David Jolly is a fifth generation Floridian, an attorney, and a former Member of Congress. He entered the race in June 2025 and has held town halls across all of Florida, campaigning on lowering property insurance costs, defending public schools, and making Florida affordable for the people who work here. His running mate is Gwen Graham, a former Member of Congress and a lifelong public schools advocate.[3]
How the field took shape
The 2026 race drew a crowded field in both parties before the August 18 primary settled it. With Governor DeSantis finishing his second term, this is Florida's first open race for governor since 2018, and the winner will lead the third largest state in the country for the next four years.[2]
Related questions
Q. When is the Florida governor election?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting runs October 24 through 31 statewide, and the vote-by-mail request deadline is October 22.
Q. Is David Jolly a Democrat?
Yes. David Jolly is the Democratic nominee for governor. He previously served in Congress as a Republican, left the party and spent several years as an independent before registering as a Democrat.
Q. Who is running for lieutenant governor of Florida?
Gwen Graham is the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, running with David Jolly.
Q. What does the governor of Florida do?
The governor proposes and signs the state budget, appoints agency heads and judges, commands the state's emergency response, and signs or vetoes every law the Legislature passes.
See where David stands, issue by issue.
Meet David JollyFlorida decides on November 3.
The deadline to register to vote is October 5. Two minutes now means your voice counts in November.