/tags/2026-florida-governor-race 2026 Florida Governor Race en-US SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ä± Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:29:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-06-29/politifact-fl-fact-checking-florida-republicans-sunshine-state-showdown Florida Republicans billed their party’s June 27 gathering in South Florida as the "Sunshine State Showdown." But for U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the event’s headliner and GOP frontrunner for governor, it was less of a confrontation and more like a friendly chat. Here, we fact-checked some of the speakers’ remarks. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:29:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-06-29/politifact-fl-fact-checking-florida-republicans-sunshine-state-showdown Samantha Putterman and Amy Sherman | Politifact /government-politics/2026-05-07/most-major-fl-gubernatorial-candidates-say-state-should-never-legalize-recreational-marijuana Democrat David Jolly is one exception. He says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal. Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-05-07/most-major-fl-gubernatorial-candidates-say-state-should-never-legalize-recreational-marijuana Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix /government-politics/2026-03-26/politifact-fl-james-fishback-says-underemployment-for-young-us-college-grads-is-70-is-it-true Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has focused much of his campaign on the concerns of his biggest supporters: young voters. We found no evidence that U.S. youth underemployment is in the vicinity of 70%. The most reliable data shows the rate is about 42%, with no significant swings in the last several years. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-03-26/politifact-fl-james-fishback-says-underemployment-for-young-us-college-grads-is-70-is-it-true Samantha Putterman | PolitiFact /government-politics/2026-02-24/florida-gop-voters-say-a-desantis-endorsement-for-governor-would-mean-more-than-trumps A new public opinion survey of likely Republican voters in Florida shows once again that Byron Donalds continues to benefit from the endorsement he received from Donald Trump in the race for governor this November. Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:43:12 GMT /government-politics/2026-02-24/florida-gop-voters-say-a-desantis-endorsement-for-governor-would-mean-more-than-trumps Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix /government-politics/2026-02-10/david-jolly-blasts-other-gubernatorial-candidates-for-not-calling-out-trump-on-obama-post Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly wants to know why no other candidate for governor of Florida has condemned President Donald Trump for the video he posted on his Truth Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:11:11 GMT /government-politics/2026-02-10/david-jolly-blasts-other-gubernatorial-candidates-for-not-calling-out-trump-on-obama-post Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix /government-politics/2026-01-12/collins-announces-bid-for-governor-as-desantis-wavers-on-whether-to-endorse Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announced his long-awaited bid for governor Monday, hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis wavered on whether he’ll get involved in the Republican race to succeed him. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-01-12/collins-announces-bid-for-governor-as-desantis-wavers-on-whether-to-endorse Liv Caputo | Florida Phoenix /government-politics/2025-12-08/how-much-sense-would-a-david-jolly-gwen-graham-ticket-make-for-governor Could Gwen Graham add heft to David Jolly’s candidacy for governor by becoming his running mate in Florida next year? That question occurred when the former Tallahassee-based U.S. representative appeared with Jolly last week during a political rally in Pinellas County. Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:30:00 GMT /government-politics/2025-12-08/how-much-sense-would-a-david-jolly-gwen-graham-ticket-make-for-governor Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix /government-politics/2025-11-04/orange-county-mayor-jerry-demings-files-paperwork-to-run-for-governor Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is running for governor. Demings' campaign office said he'll be making the official announcement on Thursday. But he filed paperwork on Friday forming his account to run as a Democrat in the 2026 election. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2025-11-04/orange-county-mayor-jerry-demings-files-paperwork-to-run-for-governor Joe Byrnes /government-politics/2025-10-28/survey-shows-florida-republicans-leading-democrats-in-top-2026-races-by-double-digits U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and First Lady Casey DeSantis enjoy nearly identical leads in prospective one-on-one gubernatorial matchups versus Democrats David Jolly and Jerry Demings in a public opinion poll out Tuesday. Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:38:59 GMT /government-politics/2025-10-28/survey-shows-florida-republicans-leading-democrats-in-top-2026-races-by-double-digits Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix /government-politics/2025-09-14/paul-renner-brewing-civil-war-between-trump-desantis-republicans-could-clear-his-path-to-victory Paul Renner, the Republican former Florida House speaker who has just launched a campaign for governor, lacks the backing of either President Donald Trump or Gov. Ron DeSantis. He says he still win the GOP nomination by taking advantage of a deepening rift between DeSantis supporters and Trump loyalists ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:30:00 GMT /government-politics/2025-09-14/paul-renner-brewing-civil-war-between-trump-desantis-republicans-could-clear-his-path-to-victory Liv Caputo | Florida Phoenix