Candidates for the 2026 race are starting to emerge across parties with some seasoned politicians on the list. Here's who:

Republican Congressman Byron Donalds says he’s not worried about new competition in Florida governor’s race— David Jolly, the former GOP lawmaker who announced this week he’s running as a Democrat.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed three new bills to expand mental health support, protect veterans from fraud, and streamline long-term care access for Florida’s nearly 1.5 million veterans.

The vote comes amid growing criticism from some Republicans about Santa Ono's previous advocacy of DEI, which Ono has said he no longer supports.

Florida's Board of Governors rejected Dr. Santa Ono's confirmation as UF president, citing concerns over his past support for DEI and handling of antisemitism issues.

Christopher Rufo — a Washington-State based conservative activist and key architect of DeSantis’ anti-DEI crusade — helped orchestrate a public pressure campaign, celebrating Ono’s defeat as a victory in the ideological war for the soul of higher education.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds stopped into town on June 1 as part of a "Trump Day Dinner" fundraiser held by the Bay County Republican Party of Florida. He's the president's next pick for governor of Florida.