Florida Governor

Former Republican Congressman David Jolly on Thursday became the first prominent Democrat to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race, saying he can attract middle-ground voters who want leaders to address issues such as rising housing and property-insurance costs.

The race to become the governor of Florida is beginning to bubble, with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leading what is becoming a crowded field of hopefuls, all jockeying to assume the mantle.It’s way too early to divine who will win the open governor’s seat next November, but Donalds, who is Black and represents Florida’s 19th Congressional district, is bumping up against the reality that in its 180-year history, Florida has never elected a Black governor, man or woman, Democrat or Republican.

After announcing his candidacy Tuesday night on Fox News, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds filed paperwork Wednesday to formally enter the 2026 race for governor.Donalds, a Naples Republican, became the first major candidate to enter the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds made the move after receiving backing last week from President Donald Trump.

Former Florida Gov. Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay, 91, died peacefully during an afternoon nap at his home in Ocala surrounded by his wife and sons on New Year’s Eve, a family spokesman said Thursday.MacKay’s decades-long public-service career included stints as a state legislator, U.S. representative, lieutenant governor and — briefly — governor.

Former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham will lie in state, attended by military and state law enforcement honor guards, in Florida’s Historic Capitol from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Following the Historic Capitol ceremony, Governor Graham will be buried in a private, family service. On Saturday, May 11, at a time to be announced, he will be remembered at a memorial service at the Miami Lakes United Church of Christ in his hometown of Miami Lakes, Florida.

Florida’s next governor and other state leaders would get sizable pay bumps under a House budget proposal that advanced Wednesday. The House Appropriations Committee approved a budget “conforming” bill (PCB APC 24-04) that would increase the annual salaries of the governor, lieutenant governor, Cabinet members and appellate, circuit and county judges starting in the 2027-2028 fiscal year.

Several appointments of Southwest Florida positions were made by the governor's office Friday.Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Michael Poff, Gregory Scasny, and Sallie Seabury to the Fort Myers Beach Public Library District, Neil Rainford to the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners and Cathy Rodriguez to the Hendry County Hospital Authority Board of Directors.

A crowd of supporters fanned out in front of the Old Capitol as Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, CFO Jimmy Patronis and new Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson took their oaths.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will be sworn back into office at noon Tuesday. Four years ago, he was a relatively unknown politician who won his gubernatorial bid by fewer than 33,000 votes. This time, he cruised to reelection with a nearly 20-point lead over his Democratic challenger and is a Republican presidential contender.