So, who’s going to win the election?
Not the one next year — let’s have a little fun at looking at the next next one: the 2026 to follow Ron DeSantis as Florida’s governor.
On a recent episode of the News Service of Florida’s “A Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast, guest host Jim Rosica, editor-in-chief of City & State Florida, and NSF state writer Jim Turner held a “way-too-early” discussion of those who could be a part of that ’26 gubernatorial race.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the well-known Republican from the Panhandle, was one of the names batted around during the episode.
“Don (Gaetz, former Florida Senate President, who will run next year for his own seat) said Matt’s not focused on that,” Turner said. “But, in the world of politics, you’re always thinking ahead, or should be.”
While other Republican names like Naples U.S. Congressman Bryan Donalds, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody’s names, came up, “It’s been Matt’s names thrown around in Tallahassee a lot.”
Turner also noted that what happens with DeSantis’ run for the Presidential Republican nomination would dictate who might run in that primary — current Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez might be a part of that; she could also become governor if DeSantis wins and moves into the White House.
Among potential Democrats, who would be looking to be the first Democrat governor since Lawton Chiles from 199198 (he died in office and Buddy MacKay finished the final month of his term), the pair noted state Sen. Lauren Book, who also has founded an organization with the mission of preventing sexual abuse and fighting for tougher sentences for sexual abusers, along with Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and Nikki Fried, who became chair of Florida’s Democratic Party after running unsuccessfully for the Democratic governor nomination in 2022 against Charlie Crist.
“(Deegan) won a big seat during a red wave,” Turner said. “The word on (Fried) is that she’s better off to stay where she is.”
You can listen to the podcast here: https://www.cityandstatefl.com/podcast/2023/10/episode-62-way-too-early-2026-gubernatorial-race-podcast/391195/
