DeSantis’ term as governor ends in 2027. Who will run for governor?

On November 26, 2024By Littum

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz has had an eventful few weeks after being nominated for US attorney general by President Donald Trump to drop out amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Trump announced his nomination for the conservative Florida congressman on Wednesday, November 13. After meeting with other senators to discuss the position, Gaetz went to X last week to confirm his withdrawal and what prompted him to do so.

“It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition,” Gaetz wrote in a post at X, formerly Twitter. “There is no time to waste on an unnecessarily protracted dispute in Washington, so I will withdraw my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.”

He also announced during an interview with commentator Charlie Kirk that he was not returning to the 119th Congress. Could we see him in a new role in 2027?

He has hinted at running for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ current position.

When will DeSantis’ term end? Can he run for governor again?

DeSantis was first elected in 2018 and began his term on January 8, 2019. He was re-elected in a landslide in 2022.

The Florida Constitution states: “No person who has, or if he resigns, would have served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms, shall be elected governor for the succeeding term.” That means he is ineligible to run again in the next Florida gubernatorial election in 2026 and will leave office in January 2027.

However, he can run for governor again after someone else has served a term, as it would not be consecutive.

Along with Gaetz, here are some potential candidates for Florida governor as DeSantis’ term ends:

Former US Representative Matt Gaetz

Gaetz, 42, served as a U.S. House representative in Florida’s 1st congressional district from 2017 until his resignation in 2024. He has made a name for himself by siding with Trump and promoting MAGA-style legislation, and raised his profile last year by leading the charge to impeach then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

So is governorship his desired next step after not returning to Congress? Former Florida Rep. Anthony Sabatini said in a tweet Saturday that Gaetz will be the next governor of Florida. Gaetz responded with a picture of the Florida flag.

He also retweeted a meme about Florida’s cold front, writing “If I run for governor of Florida, it will be on a platform to ban frost.”

The US Rep. Byron Donalds

Another of Trump’s right-hand men, US Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, has been tipped for Florida governor.

Donalds, 46, was elected to Florida’s House of Representatives in 2016 and has become a rising star in politics because of his conservative views. Earlier this year, Politico reported that Trump had asked the Donalds if he wanted to run for governor.

“That’s what I hear,” he replied.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody

As of 2019, Moody has served as Florida’s 38th Attorney General. She has been loyal to DeSantis and agrees with his positions on recreational marijuana and abortion rights.

According to her official biographyMoody, 49, began her legal career at the law firm of Holland & Knight, where she practiced commercial litigation, and later joined the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute drug, firearms and fraud cases.

She has not decided whether she will run for governor in 2026. Back in May, a spokesperson told Tampa Bay Times: “Attorney General Moody is incredibly focused on his job of protecting Florida communities, ensuring our state can pursue common sense policies without interference from Washington, and fiercely protecting individual rights.”

CFO Jimmy Patronis

Jimmy Patronis, 52, serves as the state’s chief financial officer, state fire marshal and member of Florida’s cabinet. He has been vocal about his support for Trump, backing legislation to investigate the second assassination attempt on the president-elect and criticizing Trump’s New York trial.

He has talked about possibly running for governor; however, Patronis recently wrote on X that he was “strongly considering” running for office Panhandle congressional seat vacated by Gaetz.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez

Lieutenant Jeanette Nuñez52, started her political career as a representative of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. Nuñez was elected as Florida’s first Hispanic female lieutenant governor in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.

Nuñez’s name has also been tossed around for DeSantis’ appointment to replace Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat if Rubio is confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State. Per November 25, she has not decided to be occupied with any of the positions.

Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo

Jason Pizzo, 48, is a member of the Florida State Senate representing South Florida’s District 37. Florida Politics reported that Miami-Dade Democrat said he would most likely run for governor when his term ends.

“But it depends on who’s going to run on the other side,” Pizzo said. “If Matt Gaetz runs, I run.”

Late. Shevrin Jones of Miami Gardens

State Senator Shevrin Jones, who was elected to the Florida State Senate in 2020 to represent the 35th District, is Florida’s first openly gay black senator. He has been vocal about supporting progressive policies and has been a frequent critic of DeSantis.

The legislator told that, 41 outlet theGrio that he is “humbled” by the encouragement of others.

The US Rep. Jared Moskowitz

Rep. Jason Moskowitz, 43, serves Florida’s 23rd congressional district and served in DeSantis’ administration from 2019 to 2021. The Democratic congressman has had his name linked to various controversies, from wearing a Vladimir Putin mask to Hunter Biden’s hearing comparing anti-Israel protests on college campuses this year to the white nationalists who protested in Charlottesville in 2017.

According to Tampa Bay Timeshas he tried to court the state’s more moderate voters.

“Right now, the congressman is focused on his re-election as a congressman,” a spokesman for Moskowitz told the newspaper. “For a Democrat to win, they’re going to have to show they can work across the aisle.”

DeSantis’ wife and former news reporter Casey DeSantis

Could another DeSantis have their turn as governor? Most likely not.

According to Florida Politics, Casey DeSantis, 44, has been leading some polls on who should run for governor. However, it was revealed she is not interested in the position.

Lawyer and founder of Morgan and Morgan John Morgan

One of the more wild-card options attorney John Morgan has addressed in his potential bid for governor.

When asked during a news conference in May if he would run, the Tallahassee Democrat said Morgan pointed out his age — 68 years old — and how he lives in Hawaii half the year. But he didn’t rule it out.

“I could, but if I did it would be the most unusual (campaign), it would be third-party only, it wouldn’t be like anything you’d ever seen before,” he said.

What are the qualifications for governor of Florida?

The governor must be at least 30 years old and have been a resident and registered voter of Florida for at least seven years, according to Florida Constitution.

The same qualifications apply to the lieutenant governor and each cabinet member.